Education Ministry Hands Over Portable and Removable Classrooms in Eastern Brisas and Los Alcarrizos

Education Ministry Hands Over Portable and Removable Classrooms in Eastern Brisas and Los Alcarrizos
Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic 9/ 20/2011

In both events that took place on Monday, September 19, Education Minister Josefina Pimentel, handed over six removable classrooms to the Community of Brisas del Este in the municipality of Santo Domingo East and eight removable classrooms for students of Narciso González School in Los Alcarrizos, all of which were built with an investment $23, 357, 184 Dominican pesos.

Minister Josefina Pimentel reported that the municipality of Santo Domingo East began construction on La Unión Basic School while a bid is active for the construction of a middle school as part of the same education center.

The Brisas del Este classrooms are a temporary solution until the construction of the school is completed. The new school building was requisitioned by the Neighborhood Organization and the Association of Parents and Friends of the Manuel Aurelio Tavárez Justo School.

The temporary classrooms were built with an investment of $10, 589, 850 pesos and will be used by elementary and basic level students, said Minister Pimental, who added that they will now be able to receive their instruction in proper conditions.

The installations also come with an administrative area, an integrated restroom module made of brick and stone, a chain link fence and a dual drinking water supply system with a submersible pump and an aqueduct water supply system with internal distribution water tanks.

There is a playground for the children with swings and slides as well as a civic plaza for students to appreciate patriotic values as well as a basketball and volleyball court.

Minister Josefina Pimentel reported that the municipality of Santo Domingo East began construction on La Unión Basic School while a bid is active for the construction of a middle school as part of the same education center.

In addition, work on the Enriquillo School in Hainamosa began and will be finished this coming November. This school will have 19 classrooms, a computer lab, a multi-purpose room and a library that will benefit 1,330 students.

Eight Removable Classrooms in Los Alcarrizos

At another ceremony in El Tamarindo, Los Alcarrizos, the Education Minister delivered 8 removable classrooms that will serve students in the Narciso González School. This was done with an investment of $12,767, 334 pesos.
The classroom, which will serve 480 elementary and middle school students, also has administrative space and integrated restrooms.
In addition, the school is encircled by a chain link fence and has a dual drinking water supply system with a submersible pump and an aqueduct water supply system with internal distribution water tanks. There is a civic plaza for students to appreciate patriotic values as well as a basketball and volleyball court.
Pimental reported that in the municipalities of Los Alcarrizos and Pedro Brand, construction work has begun on the Max Henríquez Ureña and Eduardo Brito Elementary Schools.
With these inaugurations on Monday, the Ministry of Education (MINERD in Spanish) is carrying on with the process of handing over more than 100 schools which began last June and is expected to be completed by the end of the academic year.

Governor of the Province, Idelfonso Vásquez, spoke at both activities. Director of Regional District 10 of Santo Domingo, Argentina Henríquez, gave the welcoming speech at the Brisas del Este ceremony. Francisca Suero, Director of Regional District 15 did the same at the ceremony in Los Alcarrizos.

Samuel Mora, the father of a student, gave the opening speech at Narciso González School. Education Minister also brought 100 solar rechargeable lamps, donated by the government of Taiwan as well as sports equipment from the National Physical Education Institute (INEFI in English).

The Manuel Aurelio Tavárez Justo y Narciso González schools were blesses by Father Martín Gutiérrez and Deacon Belarminio Rosario, respectively. Others in attendance included Deputy Minister in charge of School Building Construction, William Sifres; Deputy Eduardo Hidalgo; Manuel Paniagua, Director of INEFI; Juan López, Secretary General of the Town Hall of Santo Domingo East representing Mayor Anoris Medina; Juan de los Santos and Silverio Sierra, Directors of Manuel Aurelio Tavárez Justo and Narciso González schools, respectively and representatives of the Brisas del Este and El Tamarindo Neighborhood committees.

Education Minister, Josefina Pimentel, cutting the ribbon at the Narciso González School in El Tamarindo, Los Alcarrizos. On the left is Deputy Minister William Sifres; Francisca Suero, Director of Regional District 15; Silverio Sierra, director of the school. In the back row, Idelfonso Vásquez, Governor of the province of Santo Domingo