Ministry of Education celebrates National Flag Day throughout the country

Ministry of Education celebrates National Flag Day throughout the country
Santo Domingo, February 24, 2014

The Ministry of Education (MINERD) commemorated today National Flag Day with the raising of the National Flag in public and private schools across the country.

The central ceremony of the patriotic event was held in the courtyard of the National Palace, and was led by President Danilo Medina, who was accompanied by the Minister of Education, Mr. Carlos Amarante Baret, among other government officers and employees of the Presidential house.

The event began at 8:00 a.m. with the arrival of the President and his wife, First Lady Cándida Montilla de Medina, and staff of the presidential office. Four flag bearers of the First Regiment of the Presidential Guard raised the flag while the band played the National Anthem.

Simultaneously, public and private schools assigned to the 18 Regional Directorates of MINERD held similar ceremonies of reverence to the National Flag, with the participation of administrative personnel and teachers, as well as students and representatives of parents associations, and friends of the schools.
For these purposes, MINERD distributed 10,000 flags nationwide in order to promote, among the actors of the educational system, the love for the patriotic symbols and the nationality shaped by the founding fathers of the Dominican Republic.

Regional 15 of Santo Domingo kept flag bearers at Plaza España in the Colonial Zone, from 8:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. Parades and artistic activities were held simultaneously at schools in Santiago. In this city, Regional Director, Tércida Franco Estévez, presided over the raising of the flag at the Don Bosco Polytechnic, located in the Pekín neighborhood. During this activity students performed a play representing the making of the Flag by patriot Concepción Bona.

The Regional Director of Santiago emphasized President Danilo Medina’s great commitment to the country, as he has turned education into the backbone of his governance.

“Today we gather on this magnificent day to pay tribute from all the schools of the country to the National Flag, because it is a priority for the Ministry of Education and for the Dominican government to teach our children and youth to respect, protect, and love the patriotic symbols; let’s raise the National Flag with pride, protect our sovereignty, and fight together for the sustainable development of society, which undoubtedly lies in Education”, stated the officer.

The officer, together with District Directors, Technicians, Teachers and students marched behind the flag bearers of the Industrial Polytechnic Institute (IPISA) of Santiago, and the Cardenal Beras and Juan XXIII schools, until arriving to the Don Bosco Polytechnic.

The display of the flag bearers was greeted by students of the Herminia Pérez school, located in the community, who joined the parade.

Also in Azua and Moca

Similar events were held in Azua, Moca, and other cities in the country with the participation of thousands of students, faculty, and staff who paraded displaying and signaling with the National Flag.
In Barahona, public and private schools raised the National Flag at the central square of the city, with the attendance of the Provincial Governor, Pedro Peña Rubio, the Regional Director, Ramón Alberto López Inoa, and the band of the National Army.

Starting at 7:30 a.m. students, teachers, regional and district technicians, military personnel, and other authorities arrived at the Duarte square of Barahona. This patriotic monument looked festive and cheerful adorned with waving flags.

The activity began with the raising of the flag at 8:00 a.m. while the band of the Fifth Brigade of the National Army played the National Anthem.

Mr. Ramón A. López Ynoa, Director of Regional 01 of Barahona, offered the opening remarks urging the audience to celebrate next Tuesday, February 25th, the Day of Founding Father Matías Ramón Mella, and to extensively celebrate the Independence Day on February 27th, as the celebrations of the month of the Homeland come to an end.

Likewise, the Regional Director of Higüey, Pedro de los Santos, led a parade with the flag bearers of the Geraldo Hansen Lyceum, of the San Martin sector. They recited poetry and the similar activities took place in other public and private schools, under the supervision of the regional and district Technicians.