Dominican teachers' group urges full return to classrooms for new school year

The Corriente Magisterial "José Francisco Peña Gómez" has called on Dominican teachers to fully participate in the start of the 2026-2027 school year. The organization urged educators to report to their respective schools to welcome students and begin academic activities, aligning with a decision made by the National Plenum of Leaders of the Dominican Teachers' Association (ADP) on August 6.

Franco de los Santos, president of the Corriente Magisterial, issued a statement rejecting declarations from some ADP sectional leaders who advocated for not starting the school year. He argued that such a stance harms the educational rights of Dominican students. "We call on all teachers in the country to attend their respective educational centers to receive students and begin the educational work of the 2026-2027 academic period," the organization stated.

The teachers' group acknowledged that the Dominican education system faces significant challenges and that teachers have valid demands and claims. "We know that Dominican education faces important challenges and that there are legitimate aspirations and demands from the teaching sector. However, the commitment to our students must always occupy a central place," the statement read. The organization affirmed its continued support for the economic and labor demands of teachers, particularly those related to incentives and back pay from the Teacher Performance Evaluation.

De los Santos assured that the Corriente Magisterial "José Francisco Peña Gómez" remains attentive to the process and is working to ensure teachers receive their due economic benefits. "It has always been and will be at the forefront in the struggles for the demands of the teaching profession and the school," he stated. The organization also encouraged its leaders, members, and sympathizers to participate in the school year opening events with responsibility, discipline, and a service vocation. The group views the start of each school year as an opportunity to reaffirm the importance of teaching and highlighted the role of educators in shaping students and building the nation's future. "Let's all go to the classrooms," the organization proclaimed, urging teachers to begin the school year with enthusiasm, commitment, and a service vocation. The statement concluded by emphasizing that defending teachers' rights and fulfilling the duty to teach must proceed together, with schools and students as the top priorities.