The Minister of Education emphasized the need to guarantee compliance with the school calendar and schedule, considering that students must receive all the established teaching hours
SANTO DOMINGO. With a projected enrollment of2,686,971 students, President Luis Abinader inaugurated the 2026-2027 school year this Monday at the Espejo La Milagrosa Basic School in the Cancela-La Ureña sector. The 2026-2027 school year officially began this Monday in the Dominican Republic, according to figures provided by the Ministry of Education during the ceremony led by the president.
According to data provided during the opening of the school year, of the total number of students returning to classrooms, 2,084,202 belong to the public sector, while 602,769 belong to the private sector.
During the ceremony, which also included the participation of the Minister of Education, Luis Miguel De Camps, the president stressed that the start of the new school year represents an opportunity to continue strengthening education and preparing new generations for the challenges of the future.
Abinader stated that the Dominican Republic projected towards 2036 begins to be built from the classrooms, teachers and families.
“But that country will not be built solely with roads, investments, businesses, or new technologies. It will be built, above all, by educating our people.”.
The president also emphasized the importance of ensuring that students not only have access to the education system, but also achieve better learning outcomes.
“Now we face an even greater challenge: to ensure that being in school means learning more and learning better.”.
Enrollment by levels
According to figures presented by the Ministry of Education, for this school year an enrollment of 422,518 students in early childhood education, 1,197,014 in primary education, 869,750 in secondary education and 197,689 in the adult education subsystem.
Minister De Camps also highlighted the growth in early childhood education. For the 2026-2027 period, 422,518 students are projected, compared to 392,892 registered in the 2024-2025 school year, representing more than 29,000 additional children.
He also reported that 103,859 young people will pursue technical and professional education during this period, with 4,472 additional students compared to previous years.
Student transportation begins with 837 routes
Another highlight during the start of the school year was the strengthening of the National Student Transportation System, which begins the new school year with 837 routes in operation and 29 additional buses.
De Camps pointed out that this service allows thousands of students to travel safely and free of charge, helping to reduce the economic burden on families.
Education above differences
During his speech, the Minister of Education also emphasized the need to ensure compliance with the school calendar and schedule, considering that students must receive all the established teaching hours.
“There is also a right that we must all protect: the right of our students to receive all the teaching hours they are entitled to. No child should miss out on learning.” In that sense, he maintained that “students and their right to learn must take precedence over all our differences,” while also calling for an end to the use of students as instruments of confrontation.
De Camps stated that the transformation of the education system requires continuity, agreements and a state vision, and argued that education must be embraced as a national cause.
A year to learn and discover
During the opening ceremony, President Abinader urged students to take advantage of the new school year to develop their abilities, discover their talents, and not be afraid. The president also acknowledged the work of teachers, principals, administrative and support staff, as well as the support of families during the educational process.
The start of the 2026-2027 school year was held simultaneously with an official ceremony in Santiago de los Caballeros, led by Vice President Raquel Peña at the Nuestra Señora de las Mercedes Polytechnic Institute.
With the return to classrooms, educational authorities are considering one of the main challenges of the new period not only maintaining student access to the system, but also improving learning, strengthening teacher training, and preparing young people for life, technology, science, and new jobs.
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