Education in the Dominican Republic is in a State of Crisis
In part I of this post, I mentioned how colonialism and imperialism have no doubt affected the growth of the Dominican Republic. However, I also proposed that those reasons alone do not tell the whole story. It’s been a long time since Spanish conquistadors and pirates plundered the Caribbean and 40 years since the last foreign military interference on Dominican soil. So, at the end of the day there must be other more immediate reasons for the country’s state of perpetual development. While there are likely many factors that contribute to our struggle, I propose that the current crisis in public education, rampant corruption, and an inability to prioritize is what’s killing the country. And, as I stated before, this cannot go on forever. Today’s post will focus on education and over the next day or two we’ll tackle corruption and priorities. Each of these issues are sure to generate discussion and thus deserve to be unpacked separately. I look forward to your comments and criticism.
Currently only 1 in 10 Dominicans graduate from high school. That means that 90% of the population lacks the basic educational skills needed to advance (or maintain) Dominican society, much less compete in an increasingly globalized world. Worse, it means that all of our professionals (doctors, lawyers, educators, politicians, etc.) come from a pool that only represents 10% of the country’s human capital. To make matters worse, those lucky enough to be in that “top 10%” graduate from the public school system which, according to a recent study of 15 Latin American countries (DR1 Daily News 8/1/08), is in a state of crisis (in addition to overall poor quality and funding, the average student only receives 2.5 hours of instruction per day under horrendous conditions.)
In 2006, President Leonel Fernandez’s PLD won a majority of both houses of the Dominican congress (Chamber of Deputies and Sendaores.) The first order of business? These new functionarios were given “courses on etiquette aimed at helping them to learn how to behave at public and private functions, table manners, and to dress correctly for every occasion” (Diario libre 9/1/06.) This did not inspire confidence in anyone who was paying attention. How can we expect the men and women of our government to have the intellectual maturity, wisdom, and education to fix the complex educational, economic, and institutional problems of a struggling country when they must first be taught how to eat with utensils? The acquision of basic manners typically comes before any real education and not vice-versa. Although, I must admit, when I was 12 years old I waited in line directly behind Tip O’Neil as he fed himself raw seafood from a buffet using only his hands (true story.)
The U.S. has plenty of leaders who are not worth their weight in fool’s gold, but I’d venture to say that the majority have studied and worked in their fields of endeavor. In addition, there are legions of public service schools where, for better or worse, many of our future bureaucrats are bred. In addition to the crisis around primary and secondary level education, the Dominican Republic lacks these higher-learning institutions and, as a result, we end up with ambassadors who know nothing about diplomacy, ministers who know nothing about their particular ministries, and tens of thousands of others who fill unnecessary government jobs for no other reason other than their party affiliation. This reality should scare the hell out of anyone who cares about the country.
Those in the “bottom 90%” (non-high school graduates) are literally being left in the dust and have almost no hope of ever bettering their situations. Worse yet is the realization that even if we woke up tomorrow with a perfect educational system it woud likely take several generations before tangible progress would be realized. Thus, we are looking at millions and millions of people for whom there is very little hope and a country which will more than likely be left further and further behind.
I’ll leave you with a quote from economist Robert Kaplan.
“Only in a society where most people can read, that has a sizable middle class that pays taxes, and reasonable institutions manned by literate bureaucrats, where people do not have to worry about being killed or attacked by their neighbors, will democracy unleash all that is best in a society. Only then will democracy lead to more transparency, more honesty, higher growth rates.”
I look forward to reading your comments.
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About the Author: Randall H. Miller is an American educator/blogger. He is also a former U.S. Army officer (82nd Airborne) with a Master of Arts in Diplomacy (focusing on International Terrorism). Use the form on the right to sign up for the "Friday Morning Fix” and other timely updates.
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Charles
| Aug 20, 2008 | Reply Vote: 
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Interesting questions in both of these posts. This comment applies more to the original post than to this one about education in the DR I would say, but it’s still in the same ballpark:
Personally, I feel that it’s mainly due to a lack of real leadership in these countries. Either they just aren’t getting the quality leadership that is required for a nation to thrive, or that leadership is being ignored; I’m not quite sure which, and it likely varies from country to country.
Using the United States as an example: Look at all of the great leaders and leadership that we’ve have over the years. Even during the English colonial days we had fantastic leadership. I recently had an interesting discussion about the early colonial days of North America and just wrote an article that is related on my blog.
Without John Smith and John Rolfe would Jamestown have even survived and helped North America become what it is today? I don’t think so. Without the founding fathers would we have the United States that we know today? Certainly not. Just as the US would be very different if we didn’t have many great leaders throughout our history.
I think that the same idea can be applied to most countries. Without great leadership it’s difficult for any group of people to better themselves, it’s almost as if many people simply aren’t motivated enough to do anything about their situations. That same idea applies to many Americans as well.
scootertrash
| Aug 20, 2008 | Reply Vote: 
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Which comes first, post-educational opportunities, or a desire for a quality education?
With such a large popuation on such a small spit of land, where are the opportunities to effectively ~use~ a good education? Where will they be coming from? They are very limited.
Many call the 1,000,000 or so Dominicans living elsewhere “economic refugees”. They left primarily to seek better economic opportunities for them selves away from their native country. If you think the situation is bad now, can you imaging adding another 11% to the current population?
Education is a singular pursuit within a group dynamic. The single greatest motivator in seeking a quality education is a lifetime payout in increased economic opportunities. Without them, what is the motivation for the “average” Dominican to dedicate themselves to one?
RHM
| Aug 20, 2008 | Reply Vote: 
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Sometimes it’s hard to tell exactly what your point is. It’s as if you are saying “why educate because there’s no jobs for them.”
Educated populations create a hell of a lot more opportunities than uneducated populations. Are you arguing differently?
Japan is overcrowded as hell but the second largest economy in the world because they have an educated population able to shift with the times.
scootertrash
| Aug 20, 2008 | Reply Vote: 
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Of course I’m not arguing differently, Randy. Of course Japan has done very well with their population*. Of course there are other issues involved. Of course educated populations create more jobs that uneducatyed populations.
And I recoginize that when the only tool in your box is a hammer, everything looks like a nail. An educator sees things through the eyes of education. A social worker sees things through those eyes. Someone with a formal economics background sees things through the prism of choices in the allocation of resources.
But again I ask: where will the money come from to put a world class education system in the Dominican Republic. Or even a secodn class system. Specifically, how much of an increase do you propose in real $$$ or pesos, and specifically, what gubmint program will you cut, and who will you tax to accomplish it?
It all comes down to money. If you tire of my “single minede” hang-up, I’ll be more than happy to simply not respond anymore.
*Of course, the U.S. building them back up after bombing them to smithereeens in WWII, and mandating they not be allowed to re-militarize has been a significant help. Maybe the US should bomb the DR.
scootertrash
| Aug 20, 2008 | Reply Vote: 
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Forgive the typos above^^^. Small keyboard, large fingers…
Alexandra
| Aug 20, 2008 | Reply Vote: 
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“Worse yet is the realization that even if we woke up tomorrow with a perfect educational system it woud likely take several generations before tangible progress would be realized. Thus, we are looking at millions and millions of people for whom there is very little hope and a country which will more than likely be left further and further behind.”
This is why majority of that 10 % of dominicans that is educated and in a state of crisis usually tries to emigrate to get a better a life. Therefore the country has even less people to count on and make some progress. The country is experiencing a typical “fuga de cerebros” (brain drain)
RHM
| Aug 20, 2008 | Reply Vote: 
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@Scooter
A little sensitive today?
I don’t necessarily look at everything through an educator’s eyes. However, this particular thread is specifically about education so it’s not quite using a hammer where one shouldn’t be used.
In addition, I didn’t join the ranks of educators until after I was already 31 years old so I don’t really consider it my “formal background.”
As for what to cut from the budget or who to tax…that’s a question that deserves a much more in depth answer. But, since we’re talking about the “allocation of existing resources” I’d propose that not building the metro would have made about USD $1 billion available without having to do either.
scootertrash
| Aug 20, 2008 | Reply Vote: 
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Not sensitive at all, Randy. Just wanted to make sure you want all forms of comments, not just those you want to hear. There are plenty of places for Like Minded folks to pat each other on the back without contrary opinions already.
The metro is already being built.
What is the next FUTURE program you’d cut that is already prospretively proposed and funded.
And who are you going to tax to raise the necessary incremental funds. Or will you just count on “savings” alone.
Anybody can do a 20/20 analysis. That’s easy. That’s what accountants do. It’s the entrepreneurs of they world, the Producers, who actually change the future.
RHM
| Aug 20, 2008 | Reply Vote: 
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Robert, take a look around and tell me where have you ever seen me discourage any comments on this blog at all? The answer is never and there are some pretty twisted comments.
I was against the metro from the absolute beginning as I am against the next phase of metro construction that was just announced. Just because they go forward and complete the projects doesn’t make my examples null and void or an example of 20/20 hindsight. My criticism was loud and clear prior to the first shovel of dirt. Thus, a billion dollars saved beforehand…not me looking back and pointing out the obvious. But thanks for the condescending remarks anyway.
As for where I’d cut budgets I’d have to see the entire budget first - a difficult if not impossible task. But it doesn’t change my main point that we make poor decisions with the resources available to us. Something any reasonable person would readily agree with.
And who said anything about a “world class education system” in the DR. Those were your words. But with just a little bit more money and some direction, great improvements could be seen. The point is that public education gets worse and worse. Everybody knows this but nobody does anything about it.
That’s it! The point of the article is really that simple.
scootertrash
| Aug 20, 2008 | Reply Vote: 
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No problem, Randy.
I had written a lengthy and somewhat serious reply, but it dawned on me the purpose of your blog is to point out complex problems in simple terms with no suggestions on possible solutions.
Forgive me for thinking it was something else.
Best Wishes.
RHM
| Aug 20, 2008 | Reply Vote: 
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You are more than welcome to express whatever opinions and ideas you like on this blog.
Just expect them to be criticized and questioned.
Mine are all the time. It kinda goes with the territory.
Put a Band-aid on it…walk it off…ice it. Then come back if you wish.
The door is open.
RHM
scootertrash
| Aug 20, 2008 | Reply Vote: 
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Walk it off?
Better yet, please officially unsubscribe me.
RHM
| Aug 20, 2008 | Reply Vote: 
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Sorry to see you go, honestly.
scootertrash
| Aug 20, 2008 | Reply Vote: 
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Right.
carla | Aug 20, 2008 | Reply Vote:
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scootertrash, I’m curious about your comments. Do you mean to say that people in the DR don’t deserve a basic education? The majority of the Dominican population is illiterate. It wouldn’t take huge amounts of money to change this. But it would mean putting the money in the right place. For instance, if the government were to eliminate spending on 8th grade and 12th grade National Exams (which are a ridiculous, expensive farce) that money could be used for teacher training, or classrooms, or books. If education were to become a priority, the government could find the money.
Every person should have the right to a basic education. It may not guarantee them a job, but it without it they have no hope at all.
RHM
| Aug 21, 2008 | Reply Vote: 
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@ Carla
I wouldn’t expect an answer.
He’s history (applause! from all of the lurkers who have emailed me directly)
RHM