Santiago.- President Leonel Fernandez yesterday dispatched the mounting demand that the Government allocate 4 percent of the Gross Domestic Product for education as the law stipulates, by calling it a “false and propagandistic debate,” and argued that that in that sector “money isn’t everything.”
“To me this issue seems to be a false debate, in propagandistic terms, it seems well to me, seems to me even intelligent, but it is a false debate,” the chief executive said speaking in the anniversary of the North Region Industries Association (AIREN).
Fernandez said he regrets that those sectors believe that education’s problem is 4% of the GDP, because such a rich debate is minimized to a problem of money. “Not only in education, in everything; the resources of the Dominican Republic are insufficient.”
He said regarding education educative philosophy is the first thing to focus on and apply, but noted that in the Dominican Republic’s case there’s no defined philosophy. “We’re in the 21st century and we still don’t have an educative philosophy that defines the curricular contents of education.”
The international economic consultant Jacques Attalí, hired by the Presidency itself, recommended on Tuesday to apply 4% of the GDP to education as “soon as possible,” noting that it’s a requirement to compete in today’s world. “It’s quite clear that a country which invests so little in education annually will not be able to be competitive in a global economy which is based on knowledge.”
Written by: juanb, 24 Nov 2010 8:26 AM
From: Dominican Republic
If anyone knows about false it is LF. He is the master of false.
Money may not be everything with regards to education, but to the thieves that lead us it certainly is.
Written by: BASTA, 24 Nov 2010 8:27 AM
From: Dominican Republic, =Ghetto/Legalize Drugs
You have had 11 Years; You Slime ball. You by far are the Worst President since 1822!
From: United States
The money wasted on government projects that are motivated by graft to PLD officials is staggering.
Even if some of the money going for roads and SUV's was redirected then the 4% of GDP for education would not be a problem.
This president has also allowed the dipping into pension funds which should be a sacred cow.
In any case now he dosen't have enough money to go around and he has to sccramble.
PLD and the President are corrupt and need to be removed.
Written by: Atabey, 24 Nov 2010 8:42 AM
From: United States, NYC
Yes, how debatable the issue. Really? 4% debatable? Get Real LF! 4% is a very small investment to pay for the far greater good and prosperity an educated citizenry will produce for the Nation and State of the Dominican Republic. Yes, indeed, it is correct to say that "money isn't everything" in the debate. But 4%! Come on. Look at the competition: Costa Rica, Colombia for example spend well above 4% of their yearly PIB on education. And guess what: they each have a far better educated workforce and productive society!! Might there be a connection? Yes, indeed, a difficult question. LOL
And this question of first we must have a guiding theory of education: WELL, WITH THREE TERMS ALMOST FINISHED, DON"T YOU THINK IT'S TIME YOU LF DEVELOPED ONE?
How long does it take to commission an expert panel to recommend an acceptable course of action? This is a very easy debate LF: Commit forthwith to ending the perennial education deficit correction that DR needs. ¡BASTA!
Written by: matador, 24 Nov 2010 8:48 AM
From: United States, www.brugal-ron.com/home.php
Education is everything and dominican needs them, So LFstop the bullshiet and spend the $$$ to educate the People Of Dominican Republic.
From: United States
” and argued that that in that sector “money isn’t everything.” ????
He MUST be a retard. NO one in their right mind would say that, let alone a President.
He only shows, once again, that he does not have the qualification to be a President.
Impeach him.
Written by: zooma, 24 Nov 2010 9:55 AM
From: United States
“money isn’t everything.” "educative philosophy is the first thing to focus on and apply?" The President is speaking out of his aarrrrsss. A commitment to upgrade education is married to finance. So when the government does have a philosophy there will be another excuse not to fund, have to maintain the status quo.
From: Dominican Republic, Puerto Plata
How bad is our economic situation if we can't allot the 4o/o ?
Show us money isn't everything. Slash public officials' renuneration package by 40 percent.
If you can't educate our children then you shouldn't drive a Benz.
From: United States
Gmiller,
We now have 2 pro PLD, Elsauvecito and Ricardolito.
Neither seem to like our writing habits.
I suggested that Elsauvecito get an anger management course and ricardolito only comments when his paycheck is issued by the PLD.
From: Dominican Republic, Santiago de los 30 Caballeros
By: JimHarrington
The money wasted on government projects that are motivated by graft to PLD officials is staggering.
Even if some of the money going for roads and SUV's was redirected then the 4% of GDP for education would not be a problem.
This president has also allowed the dipping into pension funds which should be a sacred cow.
In any case now he dosen't have enough money to go around and he has to sccramble.
PLD and the President are corrupt and need to be removed.
English translation:
The PLD government officials are cultivating a form of political corruption, which is defrauding millions of taxpayers funds at a staggering rate.
Unfortunately, the theft and mismanagement of funds is so staggering that it will create a bottleneck for education funding.
From: Dominican Republic, Santiago de los 30 Caballeros
Continuation:
The current governing body has allowed high-ranking government officials to defraud pension funds, which has left those who are clueless in government to scramble to meet funding and payroll demands.
The PLD officials and current serving president Leonel Antonio Fernández Reyna have Cultivated a culture of corruption, which should lead to the impeachment of the current serving president.
From: Dominican Republic, Santiago de los 30 Caballeros
Jim,
I just proved your a pesky moron.LOL.
Written by: telemeco, 24 Nov 2010 10:14 AM
From: Dominican Republic, Monte Plata
F U
leo,,,i support you before in building the Metro but this issues of education issues non negociable DR should at list 12% PIB going to Educate Dominican.
All those fat cat in congress and the senate driving ferrari,porche, SUV, lamborghini,,,,cut they pay
Written by: Yucahu, 24 Nov 2010 10:19 AM
From: United States, Miami
I heard most of Leonel's speech, his words proved to me he is on crack. He knows how to put a pretty spin on things. However the sad truth is that that 4% would make a huge dent. right now they are spending 40 million pesos, with the 4% it would be 80 million pesos. and at that point it would still be a bargain. You are robbing the DR of it's FUTURE LF. We are raising illiterate people, it's embarrasing for me to hear my countrymen express themselves vs the accurate and concise way other Latin american's speak and think. I am thrilled to listen to Colombian's, Peruvians, Cuban's. The way they speak is poetic, it has depth and breadth. As of this moment we Dominican's can only aspire to speak that way. However with a larger contributiion to education it could happen. I hope you read Dominican today LF, you CROOK!!!!!!!!
Written by: Freedom, 24 Nov 2010 10:33 AM
From: United States
Thanks for the Graph link domex2k3
OMG CUBA HAS the highest Spending on Education ?? !! Say it aint so!!
From: Dominican Republic, NEVER FORGOTTEN, NEVER FORSAKEN!
LF is not pro-education, he's pro-corruption, pro-illegal immigration, etc, ect.
From: United States
Sauvecito,
Grow up and become educated. You are a typical Domincian and will eventually suffer the same fate as all Dominicans will if you continue to bury your head in the sand.
From: United States
cuba has the highest spending on education, but we are the highest economy, tourist destination in the caribbean! we must develop dr! cuba is so broke that they are becoming a democraty nation! without a develop dr, we will never stop the yolas trip to puerto rico. pick your poison!
Written by: Atabey, 24 Nov 2010 11:15 AM
From: United States, NYC
"Freedom" be careful about stats. Remember what Twain said: "There are lies, damned lies, and Statistics." So take that huge Cuban stat with a large grain of salt. Actually Lord Courtney (1895) probably first utter that statement.
Written by: danny00, 24 Nov 2010 11:26 AM
From: United States, syosset, key west, santo domingo AND NOW THE GLOBE TROTTER
It’s quite clear that a country which invests so little in education annually will not be able to be competitive in a global economy which is based on knowledge
i have said this many times in the last year.
i believe financial collapse will come to the dr.IF WE DO NOT MOVE AHEAD WITH EDUCATION.
TECHNOLOGIES BUSINESS?
AGAIN I WRITE.
FOR THE DR TO GROW THEY WILL HAVE TO PRODUCE NEW AND BETTER PRODUCTS. TO BE COMPETIVE THEY NEED TO FOCUS ON INNOVATION.
HOW MUCH MONEY DOES THE DR INVEST IN RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT?
THE WAY THE SCHOOLING IS TODAY AND WILL CONTINUE TO BE IN LESS THE GOVERNMENT PUTS THE MONEY INTO THE SCHOOL SYSTEM KIDS-ARE ONLY THE THE ROAD TO MENIAL OCCUPATIONS LATER ON IN LIFE.MANY TRAVELING TO STRANGE LANDS TO TRY AND MAKE A LIVING.
WE HAVE ENOUGH MOTOCONCHO'S AND PROSTITUTES IN THE COUNTRY.
THIS GOVERNMENT HAS THE RESPONSIBILITY IN MOLDING AN EDUCATED, WELL INFORMED CITIZENRY.
From: Dominican Republic
Co-sign danny00
Written by: danny00, 24 Nov 2010 11:34 AM
From: United States, syosset, key west, santo domingo AND NOW THE GLOBE TROTTER
finland could teach the dr.. this small country of 5.3 million people ranks #1 among 179 countries in transparency {international's index of the least corrupt nations in the world.
also ranks #1 in freedom house's ranking of the worlds most demoratic countries.
#1 in the world in 15-year-old students standardized test scores in science. only two decades ago finland was the by most the poorest countrys in northern europe, findland also boasts the headquarters of nokia- and cutting edge paper and pulp technology.
Written by: danny00, 24 Nov 2010 11:41 AM
From: United States, syosset, key west, santo domingo AND NOW THE GLOBE TROTTER
in fland you need at least a masters degree to teach in elementary school and a college degree to teach in kinderden.
how did this small, poor country raise in just a short time? it has 3 little screts
education-education and education.
the3y have many special programs in their schools, one-on one classes, teachers tutoring her students while an assistant sits with other groups of children whispering into their ears to help them understand something they had missed.
Written by: danny00, 24 Nov 2010 11:46 AM
From: United States, syosset, key west, santo domingo AND NOW THE GLOBE TROTTER
epuribus pluribus ?
be nice to see where everyone plays by the rules and embraces the same national narrative where we stop acting like morons-mirrors up! and hit the pause button on outrage.
From: United States
jarabacoa reminds
cuba has the highest spending on education, but we are the highest economy, tourist destination in the caribbean!
please explain what you mean by the term ¨highest economy¨. as for tourist destination...also, please explain. the DR got 4 million tourists last year. it has nearly 10 million people. therefore, there is one tourist for every 2.5 people. Jamaica got 3 million tourists. it has 3 million people. so, elementary math...1 to 1. also, footfall numbers mean nothing. what is important is how long tourists stay, and how much they spend per day. also, how much does it cost per day to house each tourist. until you have those numbers, you are blowing hot air.
From: United States
LF your a complete joke. How can we not afford 4% of our GDP for education? Stop lining your pockets and letting the rest of our corrupt government line theirs you bunch of thieves and maybe there will be some money for education and health care. This is what happens when you have a bunch of uneducated corrupt people running the government.
From: United States
The President's defense of the indefensible is shocking! Why doesn't he agree to comply with the 4% law and set a timetable and plan to pay for it?
People say that the government in the DR wants to keep its citizens uneducated. Perhaps its true.
Shocking (to borrow a phrase from Blu)!
From: Dominican Republic
People say that the government in the DR wants to keep its citizens uneducated. Perhaps its true.
____________________________________________________________________________
Claro que si, así nunca conocen su derechos !
Hell yeah that way the People will never know their rights !
From: Dominican Republic, Santiago de los 30 Caballeros
Written by: JimHarrington, 24 Nov 2010 10:52 AM
From: United States
Sauvecito,
Grow up and become educated. You are a typical Domincian and will eventually suffer the same fate as all Dominicans will if you continue to bury your head in the sand.
JimHarrington,
Okay, I will allow you the pleasure of educating me on the international and Dominican elitist, which happen to be the primary culprits for the unfortunate struggles of my own people.
Please help and educate me with my lack of understanding of the big picture? I am eagerly waiting for your response.LOL.
From: Dominican Republic, Santiago de los 30 Caballeros
JimHarrington,
Who are the most influential elitist families on the island?
From: Dominican Republic, vieja Santo Domingo
I think the President is definitely wrong on this subject and the education budget needs to be increased but what are the priorities in the education system ..should we be training more teachers to educate children from say the age of 5 to 16 , should we be spending more money on improving the standard of the universities and I would sugect this means importing overseas professors for quite some time, should we be improving the actual schools themselves ,,,What are the priorities ?? I know in my schools there are no proper programmes set , poor standard books and many untrained and porrly educated teachers.
From: United States, Port Washington, LI (New York)
Trujillo or Balaguer 100% for my political taste, They were straightforward, patriotic, nationalistic and military and goverment deputies respect them; Leonel has a bad taste for people to treat him like God, Balaguer is his idol but the old man had a unique way to carry himself.
Written by: Atabey, 25 Nov 2010 10:43 AM
From: United States, NYC
JRRubirosa,
The two, Trujillo and Balaguer, were the two MOST responsible for the sorry state of our country's educational deficit! Trujillo had a golden opportunity to establish and develop a universal and comprehensive educational system in DR. Also, Trujillo had the great advantages of control and a relatively manageable population to deal with. If he had wanted to, Trujillo could have spent 10% of the national budget and have eliminated wide-spread illiteracy in DR within a decade. And that elimination would have served to institutionalize and create a national base for future generations of Dominicans. Thus a small investment in the early years of his reign in power would have continued to heap positive future benefits for the Dominican State and Nation. But with education comes more difficult management of the political sphere, and this consideration perhaps proved greater in convincing him to dedicate his resources on the military. In some years over 25% of the PIB!
From: Dominican Republic, NEVER FORGOTTEN, NEVER FORSAKEN!
Ata,
well said.
Written by: Atabey, 25 Nov 2010 11:37 AM
From: United States, NYC
Ricardolito,
Where should DR spend its education pesos?
I say in basic Pre-K-12 education. The University level should be compressed and reserved for only the worthy, regardless of socio-economic conditions. DR will gain greater bang for the buck by having established a fundamentally sound H.S. level for the population. Trade school or apprentices programs in various professions, tourism, etc., should be available for the students graduating from the basic educational system. All students to receive good fundamental instruction in Mathematics and the Sciences,, Language with English as a mandatory second language of study. By all means encouragement of French/German/Italian/whatever other languages a grant bearing nation may interest itself in creating in DR. The more the better.
The cream to go the the National University system and other private options.
And how about standards across the nation?
Written by: Atabey, 25 Nov 2010 11:44 AM
From: United States, NYC
It's not that difficult. Shameful that after almost two complete terms in office this debate is STILL going on. I've been one to give LF a great deal of slack in constructing his schemes for modernizing the State and Nation. However, this last serious lack of good judgment by LF, 4% is TOO much!! gives me pause and I wholeheartedly am a critic of his lack of positive movement along this critical sector of our national life. A poorly educated populace serves NO ONE'S interest. Yes, money isn't everything, but a well structured and competently focused commitment to deal with this lack of standard educational achievement across the nation is paramount if DR is ever to join the better rankings of states. We have lost generations of creative output because of our enormously inefficient, HUGELY underfunded and incompetent system of education. High time this putrid state of affairs met its termination.
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If anyone knows about false it is LF. He is the master of false.
Money may not be everything with regards to education, but to the thieves that lead us it certainly is.
Even if some of the money going for roads and SUV's was redirected then the 4% of GDP for education would not be a problem.
This president has also allowed the dipping into pension funds which should be a sacred cow.
In any case now he dosen't have enough money to go around and he has to sccramble.
PLD and the President are corrupt and need to be removed.
And this question of first we must have a guiding theory of education: WELL, WITH THREE TERMS ALMOST FINISHED, DON"T YOU THINK IT'S TIME YOU LF DEVELOPED ONE?
How long does it take to commission an expert panel to recommend an acceptable course of action? This is a very easy debate LF: Commit forthwith to ending the perennial education deficit correction that DR needs. ¡BASTA!
” and argued that that in that sector “money isn’t everything.” ????
He MUST be a retard. NO one in their right mind would say that, let alone a President.
He only shows, once again, that he does not have the qualification to be a President.
Impeach him.
“money isn’t everything.” "educative philosophy is the first thing to focus on and apply?" The President is speaking out of his aarrrrsss. A commitment to upgrade education is married to finance. So when the government does have a philosophy there will be another excuse not to fund, have to maintain the status quo.
Show us money isn't everything. Slash public officials' renuneration package by 40 percent.
If you can't educate our children then you shouldn't drive a Benz.
We now have 2 pro PLD, Elsauvecito and Ricardolito.
Neither seem to like our writing habits.
I suggested that Elsauvecito get an anger management course and ricardolito only comments when his paycheck is issued by the PLD.
By: JimHarrington
The money wasted on government projects that are motivated by graft to PLD officials is staggering.
Even if some of the money going for roads and SUV's was redirected then the 4% of GDP for education would not be a problem.
This president has also allowed the dipping into pension funds which should be a sacred cow.
In any case now he dosen't have enough money to go around and he has to sccramble.
PLD and the President are corrupt and need to be removed.
English translation:
The PLD government officials are cultivating a form of political corruption, which is defrauding millions of taxpayers funds at a staggering rate.
Unfortunately, the theft and mismanagement of funds is so staggering that it will create a bottleneck for education funding.
Continuation:
The current governing body has allowed high-ranking government officials to defraud pension funds, which has left those who are clueless in government to scramble to meet funding and payroll demands.
The PLD officials and current serving president Leonel Antonio Fernández Reyna have Cultivated a culture of corruption, which should lead to the impeachment of the current serving president.
Jim,
I just proved your a pesky moron.LOL.
leo,,,i support you before in building the Metro but this issues of education issues non negociable DR should at list 12% PIB going to Educate Dominican.
All those fat cat in congress and the senate driving ferrari,porche, SUV, lamborghini,,,,cut they pay
OMG CUBA HAS the highest Spending on Education ?? !! Say it aint so!!
Grow up and become educated. You are a typical Domincian and will eventually suffer the same fate as all Dominicans will if you continue to bury your head in the sand.
i have said this many times in the last year.
i believe financial collapse will come to the dr.IF WE DO NOT MOVE AHEAD WITH EDUCATION.
TECHNOLOGIES BUSINESS?
AGAIN I WRITE.
FOR THE DR TO GROW THEY WILL HAVE TO PRODUCE NEW AND BETTER PRODUCTS. TO BE COMPETIVE THEY NEED TO FOCUS ON INNOVATION.
HOW MUCH MONEY DOES THE DR INVEST IN RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT?
THE WAY THE SCHOOLING IS TODAY AND WILL CONTINUE TO BE IN LESS THE GOVERNMENT PUTS THE MONEY INTO THE SCHOOL SYSTEM KIDS-ARE ONLY THE THE ROAD TO MENIAL OCCUPATIONS LATER ON IN LIFE.MANY TRAVELING TO STRANGE LANDS TO TRY AND MAKE A LIVING.
WE HAVE ENOUGH MOTOCONCHO'S AND PROSTITUTES IN THE COUNTRY.
THIS GOVERNMENT HAS THE RESPONSIBILITY IN MOLDING AN EDUCATED, WELL INFORMED CITIZENRY.
also ranks #1 in freedom house's ranking of the worlds most demoratic countries.
#1 in the world in 15-year-old students standardized test scores in science. only two decades ago finland was the by most the poorest countrys in northern europe, findland also boasts the headquarters of nokia- and cutting edge paper and pulp technology.
how did this small, poor country raise in just a short time? it has 3 little screts
education-education and education.
the3y have many special programs in their schools, one-on one classes, teachers tutoring her students while an assistant sits with other groups of children whispering into their ears to help them understand something they had missed.
be nice to see where everyone plays by the rules and embraces the same national narrative where we stop acting like morons-mirrors up! and hit the pause button on outrage.
cuba has the highest spending on education, but we are the highest economy, tourist destination in the caribbean!
please explain what you mean by the term ¨highest economy¨. as for tourist destination...also, please explain. the DR got 4 million tourists last year. it has nearly 10 million people. therefore, there is one tourist for every 2.5 people. Jamaica got 3 million tourists. it has 3 million people. so, elementary math...1 to 1. also, footfall numbers mean nothing. what is important is how long tourists stay, and how much they spend per day. also, how much does it cost per day to house each tourist. until you have those numbers, you are blowing hot air.
People say that the government in the DR wants to keep its citizens uneducated. Perhaps its true.
Shocking (to borrow a phrase from Blu)!
____________________________________________________________________________
Claro que si, así nunca conocen su derechos !
Hell yeah that way the People will never know their rights !
Written by: JimHarrington, 24 Nov 2010 10:52 AM
From: United States
Sauvecito,
Grow up and become educated. You are a typical Domincian and will eventually suffer the same fate as all Dominicans will if you continue to bury your head in the sand.
JimHarrington,
Okay, I will allow you the pleasure of educating me on the international and Dominican elitist, which happen to be the primary culprits for the unfortunate struggles of my own people.
Please help and educate me with my lack of understanding of the big picture? I am eagerly waiting for your response.LOL.
JimHarrington,
Who are the most influential elitist families on the island?
The two, Trujillo and Balaguer, were the two MOST responsible for the sorry state of our country's educational deficit! Trujillo had a golden opportunity to establish and develop a universal and comprehensive educational system in DR. Also, Trujillo had the great advantages of control and a relatively manageable population to deal with. If he had wanted to, Trujillo could have spent 10% of the national budget and have eliminated wide-spread illiteracy in DR within a decade. And that elimination would have served to institutionalize and create a national base for future generations of Dominicans. Thus a small investment in the early years of his reign in power would have continued to heap positive future benefits for the Dominican State and Nation. But with education comes more difficult management of the political sphere, and this consideration perhaps proved greater in convincing him to dedicate his resources on the military. In some years over 25% of the PIB!
well said.
Where should DR spend its education pesos?
I say in basic Pre-K-12 education. The University level should be compressed and reserved for only the worthy, regardless of socio-economic conditions. DR will gain greater bang for the buck by having established a fundamentally sound H.S. level for the population. Trade school or apprentices programs in various professions, tourism, etc., should be available for the students graduating from the basic educational system. All students to receive good fundamental instruction in Mathematics and the Sciences,, Language with English as a mandatory second language of study. By all means encouragement of French/German/Italian/whatever other languages a grant bearing nation may interest itself in creating in DR. The more the better.
The cream to go the the National University system and other private options.
And how about standards across the nation?