Educational crisis: ADP warns of a deficit of thousands of classrooms for the 2026-2027 school year
The Dominican educational system faces a worrying outlook for the 2026-2027 school year. According to projections by the Dominican Association of Teachers (ADP), nearly 153,000 three-year-old children could be left without access to classrooms due to the marked shortage of physical spaces in the country’s public educational centers.
Eduardo Hidalgo, president of the teachers’ union, detailed that, to meet this specific demand for the preschool level, the State would require the construction of at least 7,000 new classrooms. The problem, however, transcends the preschool level, affecting other grades where it is estimated that some 321,000 additional students could face difficulties in securing a spot.
Overpopulation and critical conditions
The lack of infrastructure has forced educational authorities to resort to overcrowding in classrooms as a palliative measure. Hidalgo denounced that classrooms designed for a maximum capacity of 20 students are housing up to 35 students. Municipalities such as Higüey have been pointed out by the ADP as high-criticality zones, where demographic growth significantly exceeds the response capacity in the construction of school facilities.
This government has probably delivered 100 in six years. Let’s say 200 schools, but those are not enough for the number of boys, girls, and adolescents who need new classrooms.
Eduardo Hidalgo, president of the ADP
Towards a personalized education
Ángel Cuello, Secretary of Research and Statistics of the ADP, emphasized the need to reduce the number of students per classroom to improve the quality of learning. According to Cuello, the ideal model, inspired by standards such as Montessori or those applied in private centers, suggests a maximum of 20 students per classroom to ensure individualized attention and effective pedagogical monitoring.
Infrastructure and basic services challenges
Beyond the physical space, the quality of school life is compromised by deficiencies in basic services. A recent report on the conditions for the end of the school year revealed alarming data regarding access to drinking water:
- 45% of schools nationwide report a lack of water for at least five days.
- The lack of hygiene and poor maintenance of the centers are priority issues that, according to the union, must be addressed immediately.
- Access to water is described by the ADP as a vital and non-negotiable factor for the operation of any educational facility.
The ADP concludes that overcoming these obstacles is fundamental to ensuring that the next school year not only guarantees access to education, but also promotes dignified and effective environments for the development of Dominican students.
