Dominican Republic and Cuba Will Sign Training Agreements for Dominican Teachers

The Dominican and Cuban governments created a commission which will put together an education cooperation agreement with the goal of training teaching techniques within the country’s school system.

The agreement to be signed between Cuban and the Dominican Republic includes the option that Cuban teachers will travel to the DR as part of an interchange program…

In a meeting with authorities of the Enrique José Varona Institute for Higher Education, President Leonel Fernández said the Dominican Republic aspires to quality education and intends to modify the traditional method of memorization in favor of conflict resolution.

After listening to a detailed speech on the success of the Cuban education system by the Rector of the Institute, Alfredo Mateo Díaz Fuentes, President Fernández said that education today should be imparted in a basis of interdisciplinary and universal learning, according to the President’s Office of Information, Press and Publicity.

To this should be added the acquisition of linguistic skills which students can develop by learning other languages, fundamentally English and French. The Dominican head of state said he is interested in seeing the education system incorporate such activities as software design in a specialized program for training teachers.

The agreement to be signed between Cuban and the Dominican Republic includes the option that Cuban teachers will travel to the DR as part of an interchange program to share experiences with Dominican teachers and learn about teacher training courses, participation in workshops, conferences and degree programs.

The president was confident that permanent interaction between Cuba and the DR would strengthen the Dominican education system. Fernández praised the Cuban system and said it will be imitated by the Dominican Republic.

He proposed that the Enrique José Varona Institute for Higher Education sign an agreement with the Dominican Teachers Association so that its members can benefit from the pedagogical experience of the Cuban teachers. It was a suggestion welcomed by the Institute’s Rector Díaz Fuentes.

Upon his arrival at the Institute, 11,000 students from elementary and junior high gave the Dominican President a warm welcome, waving Cuban and Dominican flags as cultural music played. The Institute then bestowed a plaque upon President Fernández in recognition for his support for education in the areas of science.

FLORAL WREATH

President Fernández then laid a floral wreath on the monument of José Martí at Revolution Plaza in honor of the father of Cuban Independence.

Answering questions from reporters and foreign press, Fernández said that Latin American countries should form a common block in an effort to minimize the negative effects of the world economic crisis.

As he has proposed in the Dominican Republic, the President believes the countries of the region should unite in the face of the financial crisis, the effects of which are already being felt. He said that after 50 years of a failed economic embargo against Cuba, the policy should be reviewed, taking advantage of the inauguration of the new US President and government.

Fernández also visited the Genetic Engineering and Biotechnical Center where scientists and researchers explained the various development projects involving medical products such as medicines, vaccines and stabilizers for agricultural production.

In congratulating the researchers and directors of the Genetic Engineering and Biotechnical Center for their advances and achievements, Fernández said that despite the crisis and uncertainty on the planet, there is a scientific and technology revolution going on in the areas of energy, agriculture and health that will positively impact humanity.

“Education is the base of development for all countries,” said President Fernández. Also present at the activity was Melanio Paredes, Minister of Education, Press Secretary Rafael Núñez, Dominican Ambassador Daniel Guerrero and the Director of the Center for Exports and Investment, Eddy Martínez, among other officials.

Dominican Republic and Cuba Will Sign Training Agreements for Dominican Teachers .

Dominican Republic and Cuba Will Sign Training Agreements for Dominican Teachers .

Dominican Republic and Cuba Will Sign Training Agreements for Dominican Teachers .

Dominican Republic and Cuba Will Sign Training Agreements for Dominican Teachers .