# Dominican Republic school year faces infrastructure and ADP > Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/dominican-republic-education-challenges > Updated: 2026-09-08T12:31:43.000Z. Sources: 208. Developments: 18. The 2026–27 school year in the Dominican Republic continues to face operational and administrative challenges. While the government has expanded capacity through initiatives like the inauguration of new early childhood classrooms in San Juan, significant infrastructure gaps persist. The Asociación Dominicana de Profesores (ADP) reported that 237 public schools failed to start classes during the first week of the term due to unfinished construction and a lack of water or electricity. This has fueled tensions between the Ministry of Education (MINERD) and the union, with the Ministry questioning the ADP’s unilateral decision to reduce class hours in certain provinces to address these local issues. In San Juan de la Maguana, community members continue to demand the completion of a high school project that has remained unfinished for 18 years. Administrative scrutiny regarding the tenure of former minister Roberto Fulcar (August 2020 to August 2022) has reached a new stage. A recent audit by the Cámara de Cuentas found no evidence of irregularities in Fulcar’s management. Instead, the report focused on observations and recommendations for improvement, specifically regarding procurement processes, inventory management, and administrative documentation. The audit did, however, highlight deficiencies in the rehabilitation of school facilities, noting delays and incomplete documentation in various construction contracts. Fulcar has maintained that these institutional weaknesses were “inherited” and have since been addressed. New concerns regarding student placement have emerged as Deputy Selinée Méndez called for a verifiable report on school vacancies. A significant discrepancy exists between official figures and union estimates; while MINERD reported approximately 6,000 students without placements, the ADP warns that nearly 474,000 students could face access difficulties. Méndez has requested clarification on the Ministry’s methodology and the exact number of students on waiting lists. ## Claims - The Dirección de Infraestructura Escolar is accelerating construction of 66 new classrooms in El Seibo and 14 schools in La Romana, aiming for 1,500 new classrooms nationwide by August 2026. (disputed by 3 sources) - Authorities announced on 27 July that 1,000 new classrooms would be constructed or habilitated nationwide for the 2026‑27 school year. (disputed) - UNESCO reports that the Dominican Republic reached 93% coverage in early childhood education. (corroborated by 9 sources) - Education Minister Luis Miguel De Camps García-Mella stated that 100% of students are being placed in the system. (corroborated by 6 sources) - The program will benefit 948,762 parents, mothers and guardians of 1,394,482 students nationwide. (corroborated by 5 sources) - Eligibility requires parents to provide their national ID number, a mobile phone number, and the identification code (ID) of each student. (corroborated by 5 sources) - Beneficiaries receive an SMS with a Banreservas remittance code to withdraw the incentive. (corroborated by 5 sources) - The Ministry of Education has incorporated more than 1,200 new classrooms. (corroborated by 5 sources) - The government allocated RD$1,251 million in school bonuses to support families. (corroborated by 5 sources) - The consultation portal is at www.bonoamil.gob.do. (corroborated by 4 sources) - Bono a Mil provides a one‑time payment of RD$1,000 per student enrolled in public schools for the 2026‑2027 school year. (corroborated by 4 sources) - The program starts on 24 August 2026, coinciding with the start of the school year. (corroborated by 4 sources) ## Timeline ### 2026-09-08: Dominican Republic deputy demands report on school vacancy shortages Dominican Deputy Selinée Méndez is demanding transparency from MINERD regarding school vacancy shortages following conflicting reports on student enrollment deficits. 5 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/dominican-republic-deputy-demands-report-on-school-vacancy-shortages ### 2026-09-02: Dominican Republic education audit finds no irregularities under former minister A Dominican Republic audit of the Ministry of Education found no irregularities under former minister Roberto Fulcar, though it noted administrative weaknesses and school infrastructure deficiencies. 32 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/mexicos-sep-introduces-new-classroom-cell-phone-and-emotional-health-rules ### 2026-08-31: Dominican Republic education faces infrastructure gaps and teacher strikes The Dominican Republic faces a mix of educational progress and unrest as the 2026-2027 school year begins, marked by new classroom inaugurations alongside teacher strikes and infrastructure delays. 19 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/san-juan-educators-demand-completion-of-high-school-unfinished-for-18-years ### 2026-08-25: Dominican Republic reaches 93% early childhood education coverage UNESCO reports the Dominican Republic has reached 93% early childhood education coverage. Meanwhile, debates continue over school infrastructure and the enrollment of over 205,000 Haitian students. 84 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/dominican-republic-school-year-begins-amid-infrastructure-and-staffing-disputes ### 2026-08-23: Dominican Republic begins 2026-2027 school year The Dominican Republic has launched the 2026-2027 school year for over two million students, accompanied by government financial aid for families and plans for a major legislative education reform. 98 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/dominican-republic-public-education-faces-recurring-classroom-shortages ### 2026-08-20: Education systems in Uruguay and Dominican Republic face infrastructure and budget debates Uruguay and the Dominican Republic face diverse educational challenges as the new school year nears, ranging from multi-million dollar infrastructure projects to debates over budget efficiency and inclusivity. 17 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/dominican-republic-launches-school-health-and-disaster-risk-initiatives ### 2026-08-14: Dominican Republic to halve student-to-counselor ratio in public schools The Dominican Republic's Ministry of Education will reduce the student-to-counselor ratio from 300 to 150 by the 2026-2027 school year to improve mental health support and school safety. 5 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/dominican-republic-to-halve-student-to-counselor-ratio-in-public-schools ### 2026-08-13: Dominican Republic Ministry of Education addresses student placement shortages The Dominican Republic's Ministry of Education reports that 9,000 students lack school placements for 2026-2027, disputing higher estimates from teachers' unions and planning transport solutions. 6 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/dominican-republic-education-system-faces-debate-over-haitian-student-enrollment ### 2026-08-10: Dominican Republic leaders warn of rising cost of living and inflation Dominican political leaders and economists warn that rising inflation in food and school supplies is outpacing economic growth, leaving many families struggling to afford basic necessities. 39 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/dominican-republic-president-delivers-40-buses-for-university-students ### 2026-08-09: Dominican Republic education system faces classroom shortages and insecurity The Dominican Republic faces a severe education crisis characterized by a shortage of classrooms for hundreds of thousands of students, rising school insecurity, and teacher vacancies. 5 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/dominican-republic-education-system-faces-classroom-shortages-and-insecurity ### 2026-08-09: Dominican Republic prepares for 2026-2027 school year with new classrooms and supplies The Dominican Republic is expanding school infrastructure in San Cristóbal and distributing over 744,000 school kits to prepare for the 2026-2027 academic year. 8 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/dominican-republic-prepares-for-2026-2027-school-year-with-new-classrooms-and-supplies ### 2026-08-06: Dominican Republic prepares for 2026‑2027 school year amid supply distribution and price concerns Dominican Republic readies for the 2026‑27 school year with over two million students returning, INABIE distributing 744,489 kits, and parents facing rising supply prices. 9 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/venezuela-and-dominican-republic-announce-start-dates-for-202627-school-year ### 2026-08-04: Dominican Republic launches RD$1,000 per‑student “Bono a Mil” for 2026‑2027 school year Dominican Republic’s MINERD opens the “Bono a Mil” portal, offering RD 1,000 per public‑school student for 2026‑27; 948,762 families can claim the cash before school starts on 24 August. 41 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/dominican-republic-education-ministry-rolls-out-2026-student-subsidy-and-second-national-exam-sessio ### 2026-08-01: Dominican Republic Education Ministry Moves Forward with Teacher Incentives and National Exams Dominican Ministry of Education says teacher incentive payments will follow a 15‑day claim period, faces union pressure to speed up, launches 2026 National Exams for 28,000 students, and seeks details on 1,000新 7 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/dominican-republic-education-ministry-to-pay-teacher-incentives-after-evaluation-period ### 2026-07-30: Dominican Republic expands school infrastructure and supplies for 2026‑27 Dominican Republic rolls out 267,544 school kits, accelerates construction of 66 classrooms in El Seibo and 14 in La Romana, faces ADP teacher‑incentive protests, and prepares for the 2026‑27 school year. 16 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/dominican-republic-ramps-up-school-supply-kits-and-classroom-construction-for-202627-school-year ### 2026-07-29: Dominican Republic records nearly 200,000 school dropouts annually Around 200,000 Dominican students drop out each year due to poverty, early pregnancies, family neglect and school violence, prompting calls for deeper education reforms. 3 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/dominican-republic-faces-200000-annual-school-dropouts ### 2026-07-24: Dominican Republic faces severe school infrastructure and staffing deficits ahead of new academic year Dominican Republic teachers warn of a 28,000‑classroom deficit, 200,000 students without seats and a 3,000‑teacher shortage ahead of the new school year, urging urgent MINERD action. 7 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/dominican-republic-faces-severe-school-infrastructure-and-staffing-deficits-ahead-of-new-academic-ye ### 2026-07-09: Dominican Republic trains 13,600 rural youth as brain‑drain debate intensifies Dominican Republic will train 13,600 rural youth in technical skills, while experts warn the country lacks a plan to keep its educated talent from emigrating. 3 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/dominican-republic-trains-13600-rural-youth-as-braindrain-debate-intensifies --- Cite as: Dominican Republic school year faces infrastructure and ADP. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/dominican-republic-education-challenges