MINERD defends government’s investment in Education

MINERD defends government’s investment in Education
Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic,March 2, 2012

The Ministry of Education (MINERD)’sDeputy Minister for Planning and Development, Eng. Víctor Sánchez, stated that elementary school teachers’ salaries increased from 5,720 pesos to 14,758 pesos in the period from 2004 to 2011, which is equivalent to an increase of 161%.

According to Sánchez, these figures are evidence of the degree of commitment of theeducation authorities during the 2004-2011administration,with improving the quality of life of teachers at the national level.

The Ministry of Education’s Vice Minister for Planning and Development, Eng. Víctor Sánchez stated that elementary school teachers’ salaries increased from 5,720 pesos to 14,758 pesos in the period from 2004 to 2011, which is equivalent to an increase of 161%.

He also highlighted that salaries of middle school teachers increased from 6,482 pesos to 16,900 pesos during the same period. This means an increase of 161%, which also means an average salary of 29,517 pesos for a teacher working two shifts.

According to Sánchez, these figures are evidence of the degree of commitment of theeducation authorities during the 2004-2011administration,with improving the quality of life of teachers at the national level.

He further explained, “If you look at the relationship with the GDP from 2004 to2012, it grew from 1.51% to 2.46%, and teaching rose from 1.66% of the GDP to 3.00%. The investment per elementary school student from 2004 to 2011rose from 6,262 pesos to 28,627 pesos, which means an increase of 357.15%.  In US dollars this investment represents 356.58%, having risen from 152 to 694 US dollars, and as a percentage of public expenditure it rose from 8.25% to 13.61% during that same period.

Eng. Sánchez issued a statement which was broadcasted by the Ministry of Education’s Directorate for Communication and Public Relations, in response to the statements made by the Coalition for Dignified Education on the government’s investment in education,which was mentioned by President LeonelFernándezduring his accountability speech before the National Assembly on February 27.

The Ministry of Education’s Viceminister of Planning and Development clarified that in order to understand the dataoffered by the President, first one must clarify the difference between the percentage of school attendance for the population aged6 to 13 and the net rate of enrollment in elementary school, which are indicators measuring different aspects of school access.

He added that the first indicator relates to the percentage of children aged 6 through 13 enrolled in school and who, according to the Central Bank’s National Workforce Poll, represent 97%, including children who may be enrolled in middle school and others who may be enrolled at the elementary level.

On the other hand, Sánchez indicated that the net rate of enrollment in elementary education is calculated as the quotient among persons of the appropriate age group (6 to 13 years old) enrolled at that level, with respect to the total population of that age group(6 to 13 years old), multiplied by a hundred, or 89.5% for the period 2009-2010.

Achievements in numbers

Since the beginning of teacher Josefina Pimentel’s administration in March of 2011, the Ministry of Education has achieved major improvements for teaching personnel and technical instructors, with an overall investment of 626,359,760 pesos.

As part of that investment 4,157 cardshave been included in the system, which is equivalent to 4,040 new teachers, which represents atotal of RD$37,156,761.95.

Likewise, during the month of October, 2011, the retroactive payment for August and September, 2011 of the 15% increase to teachers’ base salaries ordered by President Fernandez,became effectivefora total of 101,567 cards,which is equivalent to 61,069 people, for a total ofRD$298,645,234.  A raise of 15% also became effective for 103,089 cards, which is equivalent to 63,541 teachers and technical instructors, for a total of RD$193,387,841.

Also, a total of RD$15,726,483.77 was applied toward incentives for becoming certified.  A total of RD$4,373,577.59 was applied toward years of service, for a total amount of RD$20,100,061.36 that was applied to 17,648 cards, which are equivalent to 12,176 teachers and technical instructors in the educational system.
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Finally, during the 2004-2012 period, MINERD has assigned another shift to 3,591 teachers who fulfill the requirements, for a total amount of RD$28,942,961.77.  During that same period 10,491 teachers have been recruited via competition, for a total investment of 88,774,448 pesos.

Meanwhile, during the 2004 – 2012administration 11,013 teachersreceived either pension or retirement.


Eng. Víctor Sánchez, Deputy Minister for Planning and Development, Ministry of Education.