The drastic measure by the SEP that will change the use of cell phones in classrooms

The 2026-2027 school year for public education has officially begun amid varying circumstances across different regions. In the Dominican Republic, the start of classes on Monday was marked by teacher protests, student placement disputes, a deficit of classrooms, and ongoing facility interventions. Demonstrations occurred outside the Escuela Espejo La Milagrosa during the official inauguration attended by President Luis Abinader, while authorities in Barahona simultaneously tested the use of transparent backpacks.

Concurrently, educational authorities in other jurisdictions are evaluating stricter controls on technology. The SEP initiated a two-day online consultation on August 24 and 25 targeting over one million basic education teachers during the intensive School Technical Council. The survey asks educators to weigh in on whether the use of mobile phones should be restricted inside classrooms.