Dominican Republic school year starts amid protests and enrollment disputes

The new school year in the Dominican Republic, 2026-2027, commenced with significant challenges, including teacher protests and a contentious debate over student enrollment capacity. The Ministry of Education has stated its readiness to welcome over two million students across more than 6,500 educational centers, promising essential supplies and uniforms.

However, the Dominican Teachers' Association (ADP) has voiced strong concerns, asserting that not all schools are adequately prepared for the start of the academic year. A major point of contention is the state of school infrastructure. Despite government assurances of accelerated expansion and improvement projects, many of these interventions remain incomplete. This has led to uncertainty about the readiness of educational facilities.

Compounding the infrastructure issues is the critical problem of student enrollment. The ADP estimates that over 300,000 primary and secondary students have yet to secure a place in a school, a figure that sharply contrasts with the Ministry of Education's claims of having covered enrollment demand. This discrepancy highlights a significant gap between the government's reported capacity and the reality faced by many families seeking educational opportunities for their children.

Adding to the pre-academic year tensions, teachers have also been demanding the payment of incentives related to the 2025-2026 Teacher Performance Evaluation. President Luis Abinader is scheduled to formally inaugurate the school year, underscoring the government's commitment to education despite the reported challenges.