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School Principals Warn of Infrastructure Problems Ahead of New Academic Year
Public school principals in the Dominican Republic say deteriorating facilities, teacher shortages, and inadequate classroom space could jeopardize the start of the 2026–2027 school year, urging the Ministry of Education to take immediate action.
School principals across parts of the Dominican Republic have raised concerns about the condition of public schools less than a month before the start of the 2026–2027 academic year, warning that infrastructure problems and staffing shortages could delay the beginning of classes in some communities.
According to school administrators, the challenges include deteriorating buildings, a lack of teachers, and insufficient classroom space. They argue that these issues threaten the normal operation of several schools if they are not addressed before students return.
Concerns Reported in Several Communities
The complaints have come primarily from schools in the provinces of San Juan and El Cercado. Principals said they have repeatedly informed the Ministry of Education (MINERD), the government agency responsible for the country’s public education system, about the deficiencies but have yet to receive a response.
School leaders are calling for urgent intervention to ensure that affected campuses meet the minimum conditions required to safely welcome students and teachers for the new school year.
Appeal to Education Authorities
The concerns were reiterated on Thursday before the swearing-in ceremony of the new Executive Committee of the National Association of Public School Principals for the 2026–2029 term, held at the Senate of the Dominican Republic.
During the event, the principals appealed to the relevant authorities to prioritize repairs and address the shortage of teachers and classrooms. They warned that without prompt action, some schools may not be adequately prepared to begin classes when the academic year opens.
