He Ministry of Education issued this Monday the Departmental Order 63-2025a new protocol mandatory that replaces number 09-2009 for excursions and educational outings in public and private centers, a measure that is adopted in the midst of the national debate generated by the death of the student Stephora Anne-Mircie Josephwhich occurred during an excursion from the Leonardo Da Vinci School on November 14.
The document, signed by the Minister Luis Miguel De Camps and of immediate, fixed application strict rules for the organization, planning, supervision and approval of any school outing.
Mandatory protocols
According to the first article, all exit must be expressly established within the curriculum plan of the educational center. No recreational or extracurricular excursion may be carried out without prior coordination with the management team.
- The sixth article requires that outings be requested 25 days in advance, attaching a list of participating students, designated responsible persons, itinerary, security measures and transportation logistics.
- The seventh article provides that for every 10 students an adult must accompany them, and that it must be verified whether the activity represents a physical, mental or emotional risk for minors.
- It also prohibits activities on beaches, rivers, spas, swimming pools or similar places when they involve risk for students.
- Article eight requires written authorization from parents or guardians and states that schools must guarantee all security elements before departure.
- The thirteenth article establishes administrative and criminal sanctions for non-compliance, in accordance with Law 136-03 (Code for the Protection of the Rights of Children and Adolescents) and the Dominican Penal Code.
The new provision arises after the Public Ministry requested coercive measures against four employees of the Leonardo Da Vinci Institute for the death of Stephora Anne-Mircie Joseph, 11, who died during an excursion in Gurabo. The prosecuting body maintains that the center mobilized 87 students with only three caregivers, without safety equipment or risk assessment.
The tragedy generated a debate about the supervision and practices of educational centers in activities outside the classroom.
Minerd searches unify criteria and close gaps of security
According to the order, the Ministry of Education seeks to ensure that all school trips are executed under a uniform scheme that guarantees the physical integrity and emotional of the students, as well as the accountability before any incident.
The ministry recalled that previous regulations already existed – such as departmental orders for 2009 and 2023—, but 63-2025 systematizes and tightens the requirements to avoid improvisations and reduce risks.
With the entry into force of new protocoleducational centers must review their planning and adjust their internal processes to comply with the established parameters.
