Dominican Republic orders demolition of 57 schools due to earthquake risk

The Dominican Republic's Directorate of School Infrastructure (DIE) has ordered the closure and demolition of 57 schools nationwide due to high collapse risks during potential seismic events. Many of these structures were built before modern anti-seismic codes were implemented, particularly during the administrations of Rafael Trujillo and Joaquín Balaguer.

To ensure educational continuity, authorities have relocated students to nearby centers and installed approximately 500 modular classrooms across the country. In the Valverde province, school directors have expressed satisfaction with ongoing maintenance and expansion works aimed at preparing facilities for the 2026-2027 school year.

However, concerns persist regarding structural integrity. A survey by the Dominican Teachers Association (ADP) found that 57.7% of teachers reported leaks and 56.3% reported cracks or fissures in their schools. These findings align with data from the National Office for Seismic Evaluation (Onesvie), which noted that 100% of the buildings it inspected between 2006 and 2023 exhibited some form of structural or non-structural pathology.