Dominican school renovations near completion for new year

Renovation and expansion work at the Politécnico Nuestra Señora de las Mercedes in Santiago is nearing completion, with officials expecting the facilities to be ready for the start of the 2026-2027 school year. The school will host the Regional 08 opening ceremony on August 24, 2026, led by Vice President Raquel Peña Source: eldiado.

Scope of work

The Ministry of Education, through its Infrastructure Directorate, is carrying out the main construction, including a new primary school area and internal remodeling. Director Roberto Cabrera Ventura said the new area is "almost ready," with only minor details remaining Source: listindiario. Separately, the National Institute of Physical Education (INEFI) installed a new synthetic sports floor in the school's polideportivo, a project coordinated by regional official Ruperto Ruck Source: eldiado.

Student impact

The complex will serve about 3,200 students across primary, secondary, and technical-labor levels. Primary enrollment is approximately 1,060, secondary about 1,200, and the technical-labor school around 1,000 annually Source: listindiario.

Reactions

School director Rosa Acosta thanked INEFI for the sports floor, while Apmae president Emiliano Sosa expressed satisfaction with the overall progress, noting that crews are working extended hours to meet the deadline Source: eldiado, listindiario. Both sources agree the work will be completed in time, though the exact inauguration date for the new primary area is conditional on maintaining the current pace Source: listindiario.