Education Minister Luis Miguel De Camps announced a comprehensive reform of the Dominican Republic educational system in Santo Domingo to adapt schooling to modern labor market demands.
Speaking during the first edition of the weekly presidential press conference LA Agenda Semanal, led by President Luis Abinader, De Camps detailed initiatives focusing on artificial intelligence, technical training, and legislative reform.
The Ministry of Education, known locally as Minerd, will begin strengthening its National Digital Education Strategy this year, following recent approval by the National Council of Education.
De Camps said the government must focus on education for the future to prepare students for shifting workplace and technological expectations.
Technology hubs and Purdue University partnership
As part of the digital strategy, Minerd will partner with Purdue University in the United States to establish specialized technology and artificial intelligence design and innovation centers starting in 2026.
The minister explained that the government aims to install at least one Purdue-partnered design and innovation hub in every province across the Caribbean nation by the end of 2027.
Purdue University, located in Indiana, is recognized globally for its engineering and technology programs. The partnership represents a major international collaboration for the Dominican school system.
Upgrading polytechnic schools and technical education
The Ministry of Education is also equipping more than 330 polytechnic high schools across the country to expand technical and vocational training.
De Camps stated that the upgrade aims to tailor vocational education to the economic demands of specific regions. For example, polytechnics in Santiago will focus on skills for free trade manufacturing zones, while centers in eastern tourist areas will emphasize hospitality, service, and catering programs.
Santiago is the second largest city in the Dominican Republic and a principal hub for industrial exports, whereas eastern coastal provinces host the country's major resort destinations.
De Camps described the strategy as a direct integration between the national educational framework and the productive economic sector.
Earlier this year, the ministry assumed leadership of the National Qualifications System. Minerd is currently working alongside the National Qualifications Framework to create new professional branches and review existing polytechnic course offerings.
Reforming the 1997 General Education Law
To support these educational changes, De Camps called for amending the General Education Law, which has governed the nation's school system since 1997.
Under current legislation, all public school teachers must hold a university degree in education. De Camps explained that this mandate creates barriers to hiring specialized instructors for technical fields and English language courses.
Proposed statutory revisions would allow the ministry to recruit specialized professionals directly into polytechnic and language roles without requiring a formal education degree.
De Camps emphasized that expanding English instruction toward bilingual education is a top priority, but noted that achieving this goal requires increasing the supply of qualified language teachers.
He added that modifying the 1997 law would create a more flexible educational environment aligned with job growth and entrepreneurship.
Connecting education to Vision 2036
The educational overhaul forms part of the Dominican Republic's long-term Vision 2036 national development plan, which seeks to connect all stages of learning from early childhood through university levels.
A recent national consultation on educational transformation revealed that over 71 percent of participants backed a more relevant and coordinated school system.
Under the proposed reform model, high school graduates will be able to transition smoothly into either higher education or technical vocational tracks within a single unified framework.
