The 2026-2027 school year begins today amid protests and disputes over school places.

The 2026-2027 public school year began this Monday across the Dominican Republic, marked by official opening ceremonies led by President Luis Abinader in Santo Domingo, Vice President Raquel Peña in Santiago, and regional authorities in Barahona. The start of the academic term was accompanied by demonstrations from the Colectivo Ciudadano por la Educación at the site of the presidential inauguration, highlighting ongoing concerns regarding a deficit of classrooms and the status of school facilities currently under renovation.

Government officials addressed the challenges facing the education sector, with Minister of Education Luis Miguel De Camps acknowledging the right of teachers to advocate for their interests while emphasizing that labor disputes should not disrupt classroom instruction. Additionally, the start of the year saw the implementation of new policies, including the introduction of transparent backpacks in the Barahona region.