And as always,unfortunately, due to the underfunding of the educational system, they will have the opportunity to learn NOTHING

"in a ceremony to include the handout of school supplies"

I'd like to be invited to the ceremony where they hand out all of our money to the gov't. officials.

the one that they come to with their wheelbarrows to fill

"in a ceremony to include the handout of school supplies"

"I'd like to be invited to the ceremony where they hand out all of our money to the gov't. officials."


Well, this one is really good Ha ha ha ha!! I don't laugh very often, but it is too good to bypass, and every time I put the two sentences in their context, even my friends can't keep from laughing at the irony.

Keep the pressure on and up people, they think we are fools, but we'll see who will get the last laugh.

hope the students are safe walking to school and back home. too many crazy drivers out there

We just had several students arrested here in KY because they got into fights at a handout of school supplies. The good samaritan decided he won't do this good deed again. This kids were pulling each other's hair, fist fighting, etc. They didn't need crazy drivers to worry about, but themselves. And this happen in this wealthy and civilized USA. What a shame!

you all go too far ..there are many devoted teachers in this country and I teach, gratis, at 2 schools in la Romana where there are many young children from very poor families . The children do not have the same education standards as in Europe and in the USA but they learn to write, spell and basic arithmetic and geography ...when they get a little older they can learn another language.
I am aware that other cities have poor barrios where the children do not learn much but it is not throughout the country and you make a bad mistake for ridiculing all the good people who do their best to educate the young

Ricardolito:

I am sure that everyone, myself included appreciates your voluteer work and I am sure that you do everything possible to help these kids. My comments are not aimed at the teachers, but at the system that denies the teachers the ability to teach the students ENOUGH. Equipping a young person with only the the ability to read (I am sure at a very primitive level) and do basic math is not enough in today's world. These children do not learn to think creatively, but rather to memorize and they are not prepared to do work that will allow them to make a decent living. Consequently they wind up looking for the government to "save" them and this puts the government in a position to abuse them as they choose. As they do now.

All dressed up and NO WHERE to GO!

The results of all most 12 years of Lie-onel Fernandez "The Ellighten One" and the PLD's educational policy!

juanb ..I have to disagree with you again in that you are not correct in generalising but are correct in that many poor barrios give little education hope ..to an extent I am limited to my knowledge in the east where I believe that a good percentage , over 30 % , read write and do arithmetic very well and of course are wizards on computers. But if you are talking about all the young street kids .well you are quite correct in that they have little assistance in education.
I know nothing about the education department but at my schools everyone has books and teaching aids

Here's some great news from today's Listin and Diario Libre:

LF has promised to improve the education system in the future. Just as he has promised and failed for the past 5 years.

I for one wish the school system the best and to those who give their time, I applaud you. Y para los estudiantes que estudien y que aprendan mucho.

Indeed, a beautiful picture!

Ricardolito,

God bless you! I sincerely mean that.

Many predictable forum contributors complain about everything but it being sunny in DR; however, you are actually making a difference-how refreshing!!!!!!!!

I remember similar people from the 1965 revolution era, who unselfishly devoted a great deal of personal time and resources to insure that the kids educational process continued uninterrupted.

I, for one, shall remain eternally grateful to those faceless individuals who helped me not lose the school year. In spite of all the bullets and bombardment, we really had a good time.

You have set a terrific example by taking the bull by the horn and contribute to the educational process where gaps exist, rather than just complaining like most contributors here with a jaundiced eye.

I applaud your great effort, and only wish I could do same. Problem with DR is that everybody expects someone to bring them fish, rather than learning to catch fish themselves.

Well, let's do one simple math calculation:
1. 2 billion pesos spent
2. new construction = 4732 classrooms, rebuilt = 3175 classrooms. assuming rebuilt cost = new construction cost which is sum to = 4732 + 3175 = 7907 available classrooms
now,
3. RD$ 2,000,000,000.00 / 7,907 = every classroom cost is RD$ 252,940 pesos.

Comment: need you guys feed back about the spending.....thanks

Please teach kids from the very beginning of the good behaviors:

Such as:

-- Please (por favor) I/O give me (Dar me)
-- Thank you when taking something I/O taking it for granted.
-- You are welcome I/O saying nothing

and the most important:

STOP THESE " HACE LA AMOR" MUSICS, STOP DIRTY KIDS PURE MIND.

I guess my question...why give out school supplies to those who can afford it? Never been to Bella Vista, but based on reading on it, it is a somewhat affluent community.

Why not make you presentation in the mountains south of Miches, where when I arrive with supplies, they look at me like I came from another planet. Why not the barrios of Punta Cana...the side the tourist never see's, aside from those who tour with me and find the true heart and soul of the Dominican Republic?

Why intro the school year in the land of silver spoons???