Dominican Gov't Fast-Tracks 12 New Schools in Santo Domingo Norte

SANTO DOMINGO NORTE, Dominican Republic – The Dominican government is accelerating the construction of 12 new educational centers in Santo Domingo Norte, a project set to deliver 158 new classrooms for 5,530 students by December. Officials announced the expedited timeline during a recent joint working session.

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Roberto Herrera, director of the School Infrastructure Directorate (DIE), confirmed that the municipality currently has 12 ongoing projects, including schools, high schools, polytechnic centers, and childcare facilities. These are slated for inauguration by the end of the year as part of the government's "Plan 24/7" initiative, which aims to add 2,000 new classrooms nationwide.

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The new school infrastructure in Santo Domingo Norte represents an investment of RD$810,387,971. This funding is part of a larger RD$7,240,369,682 commitment to the Santo Domingo province.

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Herrera stated that the working session, held at the Santo Domingo Norte City Hall, brought together local authorities, school directors, parent associations, and contractors. Its purpose was to monitor the progress of these educational projects, following directives from President Luis Abinader and under the supervision of Education Minister Luis Miguel de Camps, to strengthen education in the Dominican Republic.

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Beyond new construction, the DIE is also carrying out renovation and corrective maintenance work at 36 existing educational centers in Santo Domingo Norte. This effort aims to ensure these facilities are in optimal condition for quality teaching and learning.

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Betty Gerónimo, mayor of Santo Domingo Norte, expressed gratitude for President Abinader's dedication and the DIE's work in addressing classroom needs within the municipality. Governor Lucrecia Santana Leyba added that the meeting's objective was to identify and validate school facility requirements, unify efforts, and provide timely, collaborative solutions.

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Several of the educational buildings currently under construction are between 50% and 95% complete. These include the Casa Vieja Primary School, Cristo Obrero Polytechnic, a parallel Basic School in the El Edén sector, Villa Jerusalén Basic School, and a new childcare center, all of which are now being fast-tracked.

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Attendees at the joint working session included Magaly Rodríguez, director of Educational District 10-01; Carlos Zapata, National Head of Supervision for the DIE; Carlos Martínez, Head of Social and Community Empowerment; Osiris García, Head of Bid Maintenance; Francis Zapata, Head of School Infrastructure in Santo Domingo Norte; and journalist Vargavila Riverón, Head of Communications for the DIE. Representatives from the Dominican Association of Professors (ADP) and the Association of Parents, Mothers, and Friends of the School (APMAE) also participated.

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Following the meeting, Herrera, accompanied by educational and municipal authorities, teachers, and contractors, conducted a supervisory tour of the schools under construction and maintenance.