Massive drop-outs at Dominican universities
According to the Dominican Association of University Rectors (ADRU), the student drop out rate is at 50%, with 30% of drop-outs occurring in the first year. The rectors recently participated in the Weekly Breakfast of the Corripio Communications Group.
According to these university leaders, most students can’t afford to stay. Student loans are costly and scholarships are few.
Angel Hernandez, the rector of UAPA and president of ADRU, said the nation has to decide the kind of society it wants and the training that is needed. He said more technical careers would enable graduates to find decent jobs both here and abroad. Local higher education schools need to ensure their studies have international accreditation so the titles are valid for their students abroad, he said.
The rectors also called for more preparation of college professors and urged the creation of doctoral programs at local universities. They noted that the Ministry of Higher Education, Science and Technology (MESCyT) has many scholarships available. However, Hernandez said that barely 0.05% of the GDP is dedicated to financial aid for higher education. Hernández spoke of the need for increases in government subsidies to private universities. One rector said that his school receives just RD$15 per student per month.
Hernandez also noted that 40% of the nation’s university students are enrolled at the state Autonomous University of Santo Domingo (220,000). The UASD does not charge tuition to low-income students.
At the Corripio meeting, Hernández was accompanied by fellow rectors Marcos Villamán, Epifanio González Minaya and Esteban Tiburcio.
Source: DR1, Eldia
July 25, 2019
Category: DR News |