Dominicans demand more money for public schools

Published November 17, 2014

Hundreds of protesters clutching yellow umbrellas are demanding the Dominican Republic spend more on public education.

The government spends only 2 percent of GDP on schools although the law requires 4 percent. The law was approved in 1997, but no administration has complied with it.

Teachers union president Radhames Camacho said Friday that just 39 percent of the country's 11,091 public primary schools have a library and only 61 percent have safe drinking water. Camacho was among the protesters holding umbrellas printed with the message: "4 percent for education."

President Leonel Fernandez has said he doesn't plan to boost spending. He says he sees no direct link between money spent and school performance.

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