ASODEMU rejects merger of the Ministries of Education

Santo Domingo.– The University Employees Association (ASODEMU) called on government authorities to act with prudence regarding the proposal to merge the Ministry of Education (MINERD) with the Ministry of Higher Education, Science and Technology (MESCyT), considering that it is an initiative that must be widely studied and agreed upon. José Rosario, president of ASODEMU, maintained that it is not the right time to open a debate of this magnitude, because a decision of this type requires the participation of all actors that make up the national education system, including universities, unions, technicians and sectors linked to education.

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Rosario explained that both ministries fulfill differentiated and independent functions, so a possible merger, without an in-depth analysis, could generate negative consequences in higher education, affecting its management, planning, and academic quality. Also, the president of ASODEMU pointed out that the country is going through various sensitive situations, including discussions related to SENASA and the debate on job dismissal, issues that have generated concern in both the worker sector and society in general. In that context, he considered that it is not prudent to promote additional structural reforms without first achieving stability and social consensus. In that sense, José Rosario requested the President of the Republic to postpone the discussion of said project for the time being, in order to allow a broad, transparent, and participatory dialogue process, in which the opinions of the different sectors that make up the education system are heard. ASODEMU reiterated its rejection of the proposed merger, understanding that it has not been properly debated or agreed upon with the unions and actors in the educational field, and reaffirmed its willingness to participate in any dialogue space that contributes to the strengthening of the Dominican educational system.