Dominican Republic Education Ministry Says Teacher Incentive Payments Proceeding Amid Union Threats

The Ministry of Education in the Dominican Republic has assured that the payment of incentives and back pay for teachers, stemming from the 2025-2026 performance evaluations, is progressing according to the agreed-upon protocol with sector unions. This statement comes as the Dominican Teachers Association (ADP) announced a series of mobilizations to demand the release of these funds.

The ministry explained that a 15-day period for teachers to file claims began after the results were published and notified. This period is currently underway, according to the ministry.

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The process for paying the incentives and back pay derived from the 2025-2026 Teacher Performance Evaluation is advancing according to the protocol agreed upon with the sector unions.

The timeline for payments was jointly agreed upon with the ADP and the National Association of Professionals and Technicians of Education (Anproted). During the 15-day claim period, the Ministry will receive objections from teachers dissatisfied with their evaluations. After this period, the ministry will determine which scores are accepted and which require further review, a process that could take up to 45 days as per the agreed protocol.

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The Ministry highlighted that the payment schedule was agreed upon with the Dominican Teachers Association (ADP) and the National Association of Professionals and Technicians of Education (Anproted).

Despite the ministry's assurances, the ADP announced on Friday, July 31, a plan for national protests. The union called a meeting for August 4 and 5 for its National Directorate to approve a protest plan, just under a month before the 2026-2027 school year begins on August 24. The ADP's actions aim to pressure the ministry into expediting the payment of incentives and back pay.

The Ministry, however, recalled a July 21 meeting with an ADP commission, led by its president Eduardo Hidalgo. During this meeting, both parties agreed that disbursements would occur after the finalization of result publication, claim reception, and case review stages. This agreement was intended to "guarantee transparency, legal certainty, and due process for all participating teachers," the ministry stated. The ministry also noted that the protocol governing result reporting, review procedures, and incentive allocation was delivered and published during that meeting.

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This agreement sought to 'guarantee transparency, legal certainty, and due process for all participating teachers.'