An obvious answer to a tough question!

[Don Juan]

In one of the threads in this forum (the next ten years) we discuss in great lenght and detail the whys and what-have-you's of our educational shortcomings...I believe the following may be one of many ways we can work on to solve it:

There's no arguing that the miserable state of our educational system can be readily fixed in a relative short time by investing heavily into it. But,where would the $$ come from?

It will come in the form of a tax or surcharge on bank transactions or cash transmittals to the DR from every Dominican expat living in the US, Canada and the E U.

Our government can require that (banks and exchange houses) set aside one to five per cent out of every dollar or euro sent there. I don't know what the latest monthly $ transmittal figure is, but the amount can probably be huge. Maybe one of our statistically savvy DR1rs can post the answer.

This money will go exclusively to supply our schools and pay our teachers. This $$ can potentially be more than enough to better train teachers and build more schools. The school days can be lenghten from three or four hours as it is now, to six or more, provided that, we can also feed our children a nutritious lunch.

Few of us DR expats will miss the few cents contributed to this noble cause, much less, get upset about it. I hope Leonel is reading up on this forum and explore this untapped source of energy to grow the seed of knowledge.

[rellosk]

Do you really believe that money from an additional tax will go to the schools? Until the government makes education a priority, collecting more taxes won't help.

I remember reading on DR1 about a government program to provide free breakfast at the schools. The cost of the program was approved and budgeted, the vice-president proudly announced the program. A few months later the news said program was suspended because the government never paid the suppliers.

Throwing money at a problem is rarely a successful solution. People need to be educated about the importance of education.

[Don Juan]

Collecting additional taxes means being able to do much more! What the govt. decides to do with it is another matter. If they feel, as we do, that this is a most urgent and present necessity, then they might make it a priority. If not, then in the next election we have to get people in that can make it so.

...And yes I do think that throwing money at a problem IS the solution! n'est-ce pas? rellosk?

[bienamor]

Originally Posted by Don Juan

Collecting additional taxes means being able to do much more! What the govt. decides to do with it is another matter. If they feel, as we do, that this is a most urgent and present necessity, then they might make it a priority. If not, then in the next election we have to get people in that can make it so.

...And yes I do think that throwing money at a problem IS the solution! n'est-ce pas? rellosk?

You can throw all the money you want at the problem but until there is accountibility for the money it will not go where it is supposed to. After the accountibility is established then you can throw the money at it. As it is right now there is no accountibility for any gov. action.

[CyaBye3015]

Originally Posted by Don Juan

In one of the threads in this forum (the next ten years) we discuss in great lenght and detail the whys and what-have-you's of our educational shortcomings...I believe the following may be one of many ways we can work on to solve it:

There's no arguing that the miserable state of our educational system can be readily fixed in a relative short time by investing heavily into it. But,where would the $$ come from?

It will come in the form of a tax or surcharge on bank transactions or cash transmittals to the DR from every Dominican expat living in the US, Canada and the E U.

Our government can require that (banks and exchange houses) set aside one to five per cent out of every dollar or euro sent there. I don't know what the latest monthly $ transmittal figure is, but the amount can probably be huge. Maybe one of our statistically savvy DR1rs can post the answer.

This money will go exclusively to supply our schools and pay our teachers. This $$ can potentially be more than enough to better train teachers and build more schools. The school days can be lenghten from three or four hours as it is now, to six or more, provided that, we can also feed our children a nutritious lunch.

Few of us DR expats will miss the few cents contributed to this noble cause, much less, get upset about it. I hope Leonel is reading up on this forum and explore this untapped source of energy to grow the seed of knowledge.

Spoken like a true socialist, this concept is what made the USSR, Cuba, and China what they are today.

[Don Juan]

Originally Posted by CyaBye3015

Spoken like a true socialist, this concept is what made the USSR, Cuba, and China what they are today.

How does taxing a product or service= socialism?

Btw. The only "true socialist" nation, as everyone knows except you, is Cuba...theres no "USSR" anymore. Russia and China, to our detriment, have abbandoned their commie ways. Taxing is, unfortunately, part of our capitalist system. Vien?

[Hillbilly]

is between 2 and 4 billion a year in remittances. It's in the Archives...

Throw money at a problem? Yeah, if you are Pedro Martinez and can hit what you throw it at. The cited case of school breakfasts is just one of the bamboozles they pull on us....

HB

[Syork]

The real issue in the public education debacle in the Dominican Republic, and indeed, in most of Latin America, is that the public officials that make the decisions have never been in public schools, nor do they have their children in public schools. There is no pressing need for them to do anything to improve public education because it does not directly affect them or their families, or so they think.
The poorer the public education system, the easier it is to keep wages low for many workers. The public education system here will never change as long as change is dictated from the top.

Rick

[atienoor]

Syork,

Well said. But I do not see the ordinary man whose kids attend public schools demanding change either. True change has to be owned by people. Education for most people in the DR is just a road to fleecing the system. Even those (not all) who have attended the so called "good" schools leave alot to be desired in terms finesse and making "good choices" in life. I mean just look at some of the posts in DR1..................

Good public education can thrive even in corrupt countries if people value education. I come from one of the most corrupt countries in the world. A few years ago, young people who were working hard in school and getting nowhere decided to vote out a dictatorship. Everyone saw this as an opportunity to institue change. Primary education is now free in Kenya (not an extremely wealthy country either) and even 18 year olds went back to enroll, why because people understand the connection between education, good goverannce and better standards of living for all.

Kenya is still corrupt, we have a million and one governance, social and economic problems but at the same time, we are enlightening the future (through good education) who will hopefully turn things around and firmly set the country on th road to development.

And you will be amazed at how many people will step up to help once a government proves it is really dedicated to educating its people. This includes the private sector, international and bilateral organizations. DR is small enough that it can be done. The will seems to be lacking though.........

[FALCON]

The DR needs to lower taxes, so that it can pay for these primary needs, such as education...

I can wait to hear the replies to this one, it will separate the men from the boys...

Falcon

PS. I enjoyed the insight the writer had about Kenya, good work!