Former Minister of Education suggests that initial education be declared an emergency

Santo Domingo.- Ligia Amada Melo proposes that early education should be declared an emergency for a period of three years, with a focus on prioritizing literacy, reading, and mathematics. This approach addresses the concerning results of the annual evaluations conducted by the Ministry of Education.

According to the former Minister of Education, the decline in student learning can be attributed to a disconnect between the central education system and schools and between universities that train teachers. These entities fail to consider the necessary skills required by the curriculum for teachers to enter the education system.

Melo highlights the lack of integration between the Ministry, Educational Districts, and Schools as one of the main obstacles to progress in education. While the Ministry sets guidelines and develops plans, there is limited execution and implementation by teachers.

The former Minister emphasizes that teachers often work in isolation, lacking systematic support from technicians and opportunities to identify and address their weaknesses. This lack of supervision contributes to the challenges in the educational system.

To improve the system, Melo argues that continuous monitoring is crucial after the development of plans to assess their effectiveness. Currently, plans are often delayed, resulting in a lack of training for teachers on curriculum management and the required skills they need to develop.

Melo suggests that after declaring an emergency in early education, teachers at the initial level should undergo evaluations to assess their aptitude and proficiency in literacy techniques. Those who demonstrate mastery should receive further training, while those who do not meet the requirements should be redirected to other areas. This emphasis on literacy is essential as it forms the foundation for all subsequent learning.