Education Minister Stresses Importance of Education to Bolster Competitiveness in Latin American Countries

Education Minister Stresses Importance of Education to Bolster Competitiveness in Latin American Countries
Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic 10/8/2011

Education Minister, Josefina Pimentel, participated in a panel called “Transforming Education, Schools in the XXI Century: Innovation for Quality and Competitiveness,” organized by the Inter- American Development Bank (IDB) which was held in the DR between October 5-7.

“For our education systems, this represent a challenge because we are obliged to re-think not only how we teach but also how our student learn; we are obliged to re-think the types of skills, competencies, values and attitudes we need to develop among this group of citizens for the present as well as for the future,” said the Minister of Education.

Ms. Pimentel gave the opening speech to introduce the panel members. She stressed that, in view of new technology and its impact on society and human capital, education has, more than ever, has acquired strategic value for the countries of Latin America in that it is directly linked to productivity and competitiveness.

“For our education systems, this represent a challenge because we are obliged to re-think not only how we teach but also how our student learn; we are obliged to re-think the types of skills, competencies, values and attitudes we need to develop among this group of citizens for the present as well as for the future,” said the Minister of Education.

The panel was held in the Anacaona Hall of the Jaragua Hotel where speeches were given by the Executive Director of the Educa Foundation, Aida Consuelo Hernández; the Costa Rican Minister of Education, Leonardo Garnier; deputy secretary of Elementary Education of Mexico, José Fernando González Sánchez; director of the AME Program of the Cisneros Foundation of Venezuela, Irene Hardy de Gómez and executive director of the Education Group of Chile, Paulina Araneda Díaz. Eugenio Severino, senior specialist of the Educa Division of the IDB, served as moderator.

Participants spoke about educational topics as related to the use of technology in the education sector. They answered questions posed by the moderator. The panel was directed at people interested in public education policy issues.


Dominican Education Minister, Josefina Pimentel, introduces the panel, Transforming Education, Schools in the XXI Century: Innovation for Quality and Competitiveness,¨ part of the V Forum on Competitiveness in Latin America.