Dominican President Recognized for Contributions to Education

Dominican President Recognized for Contributions to Education
Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic 10/12/2011

President Leonel Fernández Reyna recently received a plaque in recognition of his contribution and commitment to education. The recognition was bestowed upon the President on October 12 by the educational community of the Altagracia Iglesias Lora Polytechnic in the Los Platanitos sector of Santiago.

The President, accompanied by Education Minister Josefina Pimentel, thanked the organization for the recognition, saying that it will help him maintain a close relationship to the community and the students who represent the future of the nation.

The President, accompanied by Education Minister Josefina Pimentel, thanked the organization for the recognition, saying that it will help him maintain a close relationship to the community and the students who represent the future of the nation. He said that everywhere in the world there seems to be an interest in education, an area in which his administration has made unprecedented investments.

Speaking to a gathering basically made up of students and teachers, he explained that no country is satisfied with their own educational model. He said this is due to the fact that the world is at an educational crossroads between one system and another. The world is in transition from an industrialized society, a post industrial society or a society of knowledge which is sustained by modern technology being used to produce knowledge and learning.

He said he has always wanted to make education a priority. He pointed out that in his first term as president (1996-2000), the initiative to install computer laboratories in schools generated criticism at first, as new ideas often do, although today it is difficult to imagine a school without computers.

Professor Marcos Tineo thanked President Fernández for his contribution to education. Speaking at the ceremony, Professor Tineo pointed out that while rich nations are cutting their education and social programs due to the global crisis, the Dominican Republic is repairing and building new schools and recognizing the work of teachers.

The Altagracia Iglesias Lora Polytechnic, built and inaugurated on February 1st, 2008, has three labs: accounting, computer and nursing. There are more than 850 students at the Polytechnic while some 350 have graduated already, 80% of whom hold jobs in various institutions.

The recognition plaque was given to Dr. Fernández by Professors Milagros Durán and Angiolina Pichardo, as students Lady Rossi Álvarez Rivas and  Jeanibell Rosario Cortés gave him a bouquet of flowers.

Others present included the Governor of Santiago, Raúl Martínez; the Deputy Minister of Education, Nelsa Chávez; Isabel Ureña, Director of Regional 08; Santiago Rodríguez, Director of School District 08-05 and the Polytechnic Director, Rodolfo Martínez.

President Leonel Fernández receiving the recognition plaque for his contribution to education in the community of Los Platanitos, Santiago. The plaque is being given to the President by teachers Milagros Durán and Angiolina Pichardo.


President Leonel Fernández speaking at the Altagracia Iglesias Lora Polytechnic in Los Platanitos, Santiago where he received recognition for his contribution to education.  Later, the President received a bouquet of flowers from students Lady Rossi Álvarez Rivas and Jeanibell Rosario Cortés.