Education Day:

We, the leaders of education day, gained a new appreciation for knowledge. Learning about the education system in the DR showed the advantages we have previously overlooked. People in the DR lack the resources that we have back in New York.

We met an educator by the name of Hochi, who teaches English, Spanish and French at the public high school in San Juan. He was outlining the education system and the time periods that students had to attend school. He also thought us about the teachers and their lack of qualifications and the strikes due to politics that lead to severe pauses in education on the collegiate level.

In the afternoon, we went to the university of Santo Domingo (UASD) where we encountered a woman. This woman had no capability of reading and writing. However the National Literacy Program, Quisqueya Aprende Contigo, gave her the opportunity to learn to read and write. Witnessing her immense pride showed us how important education is to those who don’t have it. We take our education for granted, but the woman’s radiance inspired us to look at small accomplishments we had. She was so proud to share her story with us.

To date the government in the DR spends less on education than any other Latin American country. As no child left behind states in the New York City Department of education, “everyone should have the opportunity to receive a quality education.”