ADP demands contingency plan after closure of 57 school campuses due to seismic risk
The Dominican Association of Teachers (ADP) has established its position regarding the Ministry of Education’s recent decision to close 57 educational centers due to structural vulnerabilities in the face of potential seismic events. While the union recognizes the importance of prioritizing the safety of the educational community, it has expressed deep concern over the absence of a clear relocation plan for the affected students, teachers, and administrative staff.
Ángel Francisco Cuello, Secretary of Research and Statistics for the organization, described the evaluation of the facilities as necessary. However, he questioned the timing of this announcement, made just at the start of the school year without offering concrete alternatives for the continuation of teaching.
We view with great concern that at the beginning of a school year there is talk of demolishing schools, but no alternative is presented for those spaces that were available. Before announcing the demolition, security should have been provided to the communities, to the parents and, therefore, to the students and the teaching and administrative staff, regarding where they would be relocated.
Ángel Francisco Cuello, Secretary of Research and Statistics of the ADP
Proposals to strengthen school safety
Cuello acknowledged that many of the buildings intervened are between 40 and 60 years old, which makes their review pertinent. However, he revealed that the union has its own survey carried out by the ADP Educational Observatory, which points out other schools that require a rigorous technical evaluation.
The leader suggested that this process must be comprehensive and include the participation of specialized organizations, such as the Dominican College of Engineers, Architects and Surveyors (CODIA), to determine with precision which structures should be repaired and which require total or partial demolition.
Challenges in infrastructure maintenance
During his speech, Cuello warned about the logistical difficulties facing the educational system, stating that more than 260 centers were unable to start classes normally due to unfinished repairs. The secretary criticized the centralization of school maintenance, pointing out that the lack of direct resources to the centers has prevented principals from properly managing minor painting, plumbing, and electrical repairs during the vacation period.
- More than 86% of educational centers lack constant corrective maintenance.
- Problems with leaks and laboratory equipment require deeper and more planned intervention.
- The anti-seismic strengthening program includes the total demolition of 34 centers and partial demolition of 23.
- The intervened areas are concentrated mainly near the Septentrional Mountain Range, an area of high seismic activity.
For his part, the director of School Infrastructure, Roberto Herrera Polanco, has justified the measures as an essential step to mitigate risks given the geographical location of the schools and the soil characteristics in the affected areas, reaffirming that the program seeks to protect the physical integrity of thousands of students.
