The controversial session prompted demonstrations in front of Congress, where the deputies who voted for the piece were symbolically “burned as traitors at the stake.”

The Congress, given that 2012 is an election year approved at least RD$1.4 billion for itself. The approval comes despite that the deputies of the opposition PRD party voted against it and amid allegations that some of them were deliberately absent. Of the deputies present 83 voted in favor and 57 against the piece.

Chamber president Abel Martinez whisked through the session which lasted less than 15 minutes, hammering the gavel several times to shush the lawmakers who called for the allocation of 4.0% of the Gross Domestic Product for Education, as wide sectors of the country demand.

Yellow protest

Meanwhile dozens of demonstrators in front of Congress burned photos of the legislators who voted for the piece turning a deaf ear to the demands of a higher allotment for education.

“It’s that traitors are burned at the stake,” said Mario Bergés, coordinator of the Juan XXIII training center, which forms part of the more than 200 organizations which headed the push throughout the year for 4% of the GDP for education, as the law stipulates.

Dominican Watchdog Note: "USELESS LEONEL" has made the perfect recipe for creating a first class  Banana Republic! Maximum government corruption for 12 years. Without education the poor don't stand a chance, the rich will keep raping the country!

Read more: Strike shuts down Dominican Republic university, 185,000 student effected!

Read also: Government corruption harms the country the most, World Bank says (UPDATE)

This must have been the most embarrassing day for President Leonel Fernandez, 12 years and no results!!

-The World Bank’s managing director Thursday said government corruption is what most harms Dominican Republic’s quality of life and competitiveness........  SECRETARY CLINTON: I’m well aware that there are very serious concerns about the human rights of Haitians, and in particular those who have been here long enough to be citizens....... Less money for education..... Priest slams Government officials’ squandering of taxpayers' money......