ISFODOSU rector proposes educational reforms and warns of political clientelism

Dinorah García Romero, rector of the Salomé Ureña Higher Institute of Teacher Training (ISFODOSU), has proposed structural reforms to improve the Dominican Republic's educational outcomes and PISA test results. She emphasized the necessity of integrating student voices into the design and evaluation of academic programs and national curricula, noting that students have historically been excluded from strategic decision-making.

García Romero also called for greater autonomy for educators and managers to move away from rigid, top-down directives toward a culture of research and long-term thinking.

Additionally, the rector warned of the persistent issue of political clientelism within the Dominican educational system. She noted that while controls have improved, individuals with political affiliations rather than teaching interests have historically entered the system. She further identified the influence of political parties within teacher unions and the complex relationship between these unions and the Ministry of Education as significant obstacles to educational progress.