Dominican Republic educational performance challenges

The Dominican Republic is facing systemic educational challenges, as evidenced by recent PISA evaluation results. Assessment scores for 15-year-old students showed significant deficits in Science (361), Reading (346), and Mathematics (339), with 69.3% of students scoring below level 2. While slight improvements were noted in Science and Reading since 2015, Mathematics performance has stagnated. Experts have emphasized the need for greater transparency in resource management and operational efficiency within the Ministry of Education.

A study by the Pontificia Universidad Católica Madre y Maestra (PUCMM) titled ‘Mapas Educativos: geolocalizando las brechas del sistema educativo dominicano’ identified that low academic performance is geographically concentrated. The research highlighted specific regions, including San Juan de la Maguana, Monte Plata, and Azua, as areas of educational lag. The study identified 115 high schools that consistently showed low performance between 2023 and 2025, affecting approximately 4,100 students annually. Furthermore, a disparity exists between sectors: in 2025, 22.7% of public schools failed to reach an intermediate level, compared to 7.5% of private institutions.

In response to these findings, the Ministry of Education (MINERD) has announced a comprehensive review of its pre-university programs. Vice Minister Ancell Scheker noted that while PISA results show stability, they also highlight ongoing challenges in teaching quality. To address this, the Minister of Education appointed a commission from the National Council of Education to evaluate whether current initiatives require strengthening, adjustment, or renewal.