Ministry of Education Reports to the National Education Council on Curricular Review and Results

Ministry of Education Reports to the National Education Council on Curricular Review and Results
Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic 12/21/2011

Reporting to the National Council on Education, Education Minister, Josefina Pimentel, explained that the Ministry is beginning a new organizational phase to review the curricular process as a way of updating and strengthening the current curriculum. This procedure is being done in compliance with Policy Three of the Ten Year Education Plan 2008-2018.

Ms. Pimentel made this announcement at the ordinary meeting of the National Council on Education (CNE in Spanish) at the Ercilia Pepín Hall of the Education Ministry.

Ms. Pimentel made this announcement at the ordinary meeting of the National Council on Education (CNE in Spanish) at the Ercilia Pepín Hall of the Education Ministry.

Deputy Education Minister for Pedagogical Technical Services, Minerva Vincent, presented the document with the Curricular Review Proposal of the Education System, which members of the CNE looked over and agreed to deal with in a future meeting. They also agreed to promote consultation with participants of the education system and representatives from different sectors of society.

The first phase of the review plan and curriculum update, as defined by general references and a consultation process, began in October of this year and will conclude in March 2012, explained Ms. Vincent. As such, the second phase, of a technical and curricular design nature, will take place between April and July of the following year. The third phase, preparation for the implementation of the new curriculum proposal, is envisioned for May 2012 until August 2013.

Following Ms. Vincent’s talk, Minister Pimentel suggested that the proposal serve as a starting point from which methodological and strategic aspects can be strengthened.

“These documents are an important contribution for the organization of the curricular review process, and we will agree on the best way to organize this process so that it will be more productive and participatory which is what we aspire to,” said the Education Minister.

School for Directors

It was also announced at the CNE meeting that on January 17, 2012 a School for Directors will be opened and begin work with 120 students who will receive training in management and quality education, supervision and educational evaluation, among other related issues.

In addition, the Administrative Director of Teachers Risk and Health Management, Doctor Alberto Fiallo Billini, presented a report on recuperation of the organization which provides medical and health care service to teachers.

Deputy Minister of School Buildings, William Sifres, gave a short report on the construction plan for new schools through which 53 schools were inaugurated between June and November of this year. There are 41 school sites ready to be opened, all of which were built with a budget of over 3 billion pesos.

Julio Peña, Director of School Maintenance for the Ministry of Education, gave details on the repair of some 4,000 schools, which represents nearly 80% of the existing schools, in which 32,000 classrooms were upgraded and 28,000 desks were built last summer.

Education Minister, Josefina Pimentel, heads a session of the National Council on Education, held on Monday December 20^th.