Dominican opposition party warns of education system failures despite budget increase

The Fuerza del Pueblo (FP) party has issued a stark warning regarding the Dominican Republic's education system, predicting structural issues will persist into the 2026-2027 school year despite a substantial budget exceeding 332 billion pesos allocated to the Ministry of Education (Minerd).

Josefina Pimentel, head of the FP's Education Secretariat and former Minister of Education, criticized the budget's distribution, execution, and the quality of spending. She stated that 93.25% of the 2026 education budget is designated for current expenses, leaving only 6.75% for capital expenditures. Within this capital spending, infrastructure projects receive 4.21%, while teacher training and research combined get 2.09%. Pimentel argued this allocation severely limits the system's capacity to address needs in infrastructure, teacher development, technology, and learning resources.

"Dominican education does not need new promises and transformation rhetoric. It needs the pledged word to become finished classrooms, safe schools, respected teachers, functional technology, and students who learn," Pimentel declared. She specifically questioned the investment in infrastructure, noting that in 2025, the Ministry of Education allocated only 267.5 million pesos for minor maintenance, a sharp decrease compared to the 1.839 billion pesos spent on similar maintenance in 2013 when the overall education budget was roughly one-third of the current amount. Pimentel believes this reduction contributes to deteriorating school facilities, stalled construction projects, and a shortage of classrooms.

The FP based its concerns partly on a June 2026 survey of 2,016 teachers, directors, coordinators, and counselors across the country. The study revealed that 83% of respondents reported inadequate safety and recreational spaces, 77% lacked sufficient technological equipment, 76% faced issues with functional restrooms, 72% experienced problems with potable water access, and 53% reported deficiencies in electricity supply. The party also criticized the reduction of the Extended School Day program in many centers and called for its review and strengthening.

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Dominican education does not need new promises and transformation rhetoric. It needs the pledged word to become finished classrooms, safe schools, respected teachers, functional technology, and students who learn.