Educational reforms underway in Ecuador and the Dominican Republic

Ecuador is implementing a pilot program for a competency-based curriculum designed to replace the traditional rote learning model. Education Minister Gilda Alcívar stated that the initiative aims to move beyond memorization toward the practical application of knowledge in daily life. The program has already been rolled out for students in the Sierra-Amazonía region, with plans for national expansion next year. This reform follows poor performance in PISA testing, where students scored below average in reading, science, and mathematics. To support the transition, 2,000 teachers have already received training, and the Ministry offers over 70 free courses to help educators adapt to the new model.

In the Dominican Republic, a legislative proposal has been submitted to the Chamber of Deputies to make the teaching of Haitian Creole, English, and French mandatory from primary through secondary levels. Introduced by Deputy Julio César Beltré Méndez, the proposal cites historical, commercial, and migratory ties between the Dominican Republic and Haiti as primary justifications. While English and French are already part of the curriculum, the inclusion of Creole as a mandatory subject remains a point of debate regarding its feasibility and the resources required for quality implementation.