SANTO DOMINGO – The Dominican Republic has launched an ambitious educational infrastructure initiative titled “Navidad en las Aulas 24/7” (Christmas in the Classrooms 24/7), allocating over RD$300 million to execute critical maintenance across more than 250 schools nationwide during the holiday recess. The program, spearheaded by the Education Infrastructure Directorate, is strategically timed to leverage the absence of students and faculty, thereby eliminating disruptions to the academic calendar.
Scheduled to commence on December 11 in the Los Mina sector of Santo Domingo Este, the operation will mobilize dozens of specialized work brigades throughout the Christmas, New Year, and Three Kings Day vacation period. Under the leadership of Director Roberto Herrera and with coordinated support from the Ministry of Education and municipal authorities, the initiative will focus on comprehensive upgrades including interior and exterior painting, electrical system overhauls, plumbing repairs, asphalt restoration, and overall campus beautification. The primary objective is to ensure all targeted institutions reopen in January as safer, more functional, and aesthetically improved learning environments.
This holiday maintenance drive represents a significant phase in a broader governmental strategy to revitalize public education infrastructure. Officials highlighted that this effort builds upon substantial recent progress, noting that over 800 schools have been renovated or upgraded within the past eight months. Looking further ahead, the administration has set a target to complete 2,000 new classrooms by the conclusion of 2025. To bolster the logistical capacity of such expansive projects, the program has been reinforced with 50 new service vehicles, enhancing operational mobility to support an educational community encompassing more than 2 million students and 100,000 teachers.
Endorsed by President Luis Abinader, the ’24/7′ model is characterized by authorities as a strategic investment in the nation’s future. The concentrated, round-the-clock holiday work schedule is designed to maximize efficiency and cost-effectiveness. This initiative stands as a testament to the government’s deepened commitment to fortifying the foundational pillars of public education and systematically elevating the quality of classroom conditions across the Dominican Republic.