Ministries of Education and Culture Sign Agreement to Strengthen and Promote Dominican Values

Ministries of Education and Culture Sign Agreement to Strengthen and Promote Dominican Values 
Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic  5/3/2012

The Ministry of Culture and Ministry of Education (MINERD in Spanish) signed a collaboration agreement in which they will join forces in a search for common goals and purposes to strengthen sensibility and knowledge about the philosophical, ethical and aesthetic values of Dominican identity. These values are consecrated under the law, expressed in the tangible and intangible heritage and in the traditional and ongoing expressions of the country’s universal culture.

Likewise, both institutions will formulate plans and programs to strengthen the school libraries belonging to MINERD, through the publication and distribution of specialized published material.

The agreement was signed by the Minister of Education, Josefina Pimentel and Minister of Culture, José Rafael Lantigua at an event held in MINERD’s pavilion at the XV International Book Fair.

The agreement commits the Ministry of Culture to develop and provide the Ministry of Education with educational, cultural, artistic and literary materials, which the Ministry believes will adequately support and complement the  comprehensive training of art teachers within the public education system. 

Likewise, both institutions will formulate plans and programs to strengthen the school libraries belonging to MINERD, through the publication and distribution of specialized published material.

At the same time, they will promote the training and updating of their teaching staff in the early, elementary and middle school levels with the goal of providing knowledge and training and to strengthen academic programs that implement these various areas, within formal as well as informal educational.

“Both Ministries agree to develop programs to strengthen and develop a network of musical bands, choirs, folkloric and popular dance groups, theater groups, puppet, pantomime and poetry groups that will function in the MINERD-run schools. These programs will be advised by a special commission of experienced professionals from areas that function under the Ministry of Culture,” indicated one of the articles of the agreement.

The agreement, which contains 14 articles, will be in effect for one year with the option for renewal if both signatories agree.

At the signing ceremony, Education Minister Pimentel said she was pleased with the agreement, which will further strengthen the collaborative relationship and exchange that already exists between the two Ministries.

“Both entities have undertaken a common work trajectory. We have joined together in many cultural initiatives and in the development of capabilities and talents in the arts, artistic education and teacher training. This work will continue and will grow stronger,¨ said Minister Pimentel.

She added that the MINERD needs support, consulting and close collaboration from all experts and specialists in the various fields of art and culture to assure that students are exposed to the country´s cultural, artistic and historic heritage in order to consolidate the values of love, care and respect.

“The agreement will enable you to advise us on the artistic groups that are already active in the schools, such as the theater, choirs, folklore and modern dance groups and all that is being undertaken in the area of poetry,” said Minister Pimentel.

Culture Minister Lantigua said the agreement constituted an homage to the Minister of Education, who was pursued by the Ministry of Culture for seven years and that it was her sensibility as a teacher that finally made it possible.

At the end of the activity, Minister Pimentel admitted that she feels very happy whenever she sees a school band playing the national anthem to perfection or any other national folk song or when she sees a theater group or a school choir singing difficult songs. “If these talented young people had advisors and teachers they would surely be professionals or outstanding people in these artistic areas.”

Minister of Education, Josefina Pimentel, and Minister of Culture, José Rafael Lantigua, as they sign the collaboration agreement between their two ministries