Teachers union warns of school year disruption over infrastructure, staff shortages

The Dominican Teachers Association (ADP) has sounded the alarm just days before the start of the 2026-2027 school year, citing widespread infrastructure deficiencies, a shortage of student placements, and inadequate staffing. ADP President Eduardo Hidalgo warned that these issues will hinder a normal start to classes on August 24 in many educational centers.

During a large protest in Santo Domingo, Hidalgo asserted that ADP's local branches across the country have identified critical problems requiring immediate attention from the Ministry of Education. A primary concern is the physical state of school buildings, with the ADP estimating that 57% of schools require repairs or interventions. Hidalgo highlighted schools with cracks and structural weaknesses in beams and columns, demanding that authorities verify the safety of these buildings, especially in light of seismic risks. "We fear for the lives of the children, our teachers, and the administrative staff of these schools," he stated, emphasizing the need to address the root causes of these problems.

However, the Ministry of Education has presented a contrasting picture. The Directorate of School Infrastructure reported that 1,342 schools are currently undergoing maintenance, covering 9,831 classrooms. The ministry also stated its intention to add over 1,200 new classrooms by the start of the school year, with a goal of reaching 1,500. Additionally, 94 other facilities have ongoing work scheduled for completion in August. The ministry's infrastructure program aims to deliver between 2,300 and 2,500 new classrooms by the end of 2026.

Another significant point of contention is the number of students without assigned places. Hidalgo claimed the ADP estimates over 300,000 primary and secondary students are still awaiting enrollment. The Ministry of Education, conversely, acknowledged on August 15 that only about 6,000 students nationwide were still waiting for placement, a figure the ADP disputes.