Teachers' union: 474,000 children could be left out of school when classes start

The Dominican Association of Teachers (ADP) estimates that 474,000 children could be left out of classrooms when the school year begins on August 24, and warns about the insecurity prevailing in educational centers.

An uncertain start to the school year

The teachers’ union highlighted a situation that, according to its leaders, is rarely discussed: insecurity in schools and violence among students. The ADP explained that many students, including children and teenagers, live in homes with situations that affect their learning process, in some cases leading them to alcohol use.

If confirmed, the figure of 474,000 children out of school would mark a setback in educational coverage and deepen inequality in access to education.

Violence and coexistence

The union is calling for a comprehensive approach combining safety at school sites, school coexistence programs and psychosocial support for at-risk students. It is also urging education authorities to review protocols for violence situations before the school year begins.

Why it matters

The start of the school year on August 24 is the next big test for the Dominican education system. Whether 474,000 children may be left out is not just an enrollment problem: it is a warning about the social conditions surrounding schools, and about the need for policies that combine coverage, safety and emotional support for the most vulnerable students.