Primary education is provided free for all children from the ages 7 to 14, and although this is compulsory it is rarely enforced, especially in the rural areas.  Uniforms are required to attend school and these are not provided by the government, therefore those families that cannot afford to buy them do not send their children to school.  Books, pens, pencils, scribblers, and other necessary supplies are also the responsibility of the families and this too adds to lack of enrolment in the schools.  Over the past years however, many non-profit organizations have established themselves in the Dominican Republic and these have greatly assisted in providing the necessary amenities for underprivileged children to take advantage of the school system.  Private citizens and foreign residents have also started various programs throughout the island to further help the less fortunate families in sending their kids to school.

Two-year intermediate school and a four-year secondary follow primary education, however the system caters more to the middle and upper class and therefore a large majority of Dominicans will not reach this level.  Even at this rate though, over 85% of the population is literate.  There are many private schools and universities in the major urban centers of the country, and most of the upper level wealthy students attend these institutions.  A large majority of these private institutions are supported by the Roman Catholic Church.

Established in 1538, the Autonomous University of Santo Domingo is the oldest university in the Dominican Republic, and was the first university in the New World. Originally named Universad de Santo Thomas Aquinas, it was created by order of  Pope Paul III at the request of the Order of Saint Dominic and was affiliated with the Catholic Church until the beginning of the 19th Century.  Now funded by the government, costs have been kept at a minimum to enable all income levels to attend, as long as the students have been lucky enough to have obtained the prerequisite primary and secondary education.
 
Statistics provided by UNESCO up to the year 2004 state that just over 80% of girls and boys are enrolled in primary school, with around 50% enrolled in secondary school.