Wednesday is official opening of state-of-the-art San Sauveur Primary School

Newly constructed San Sauveur Primary School. *Sean Douglas photo

Preparations are well advanced for the official  opening of a new state-of-the-art primary school in the village of San Sauveur on Wednesday, April 28th 2010.

Prime Minister, Hon. Roosevelt Skerrit, Minister for Education and Human Resource Development, Hon. Petter Saint. Jean, Parliamentary Representative for the Castle Bruce constituency, Hon. Johnson Drigo as well as senior officials from  the Ministry of Education are among guests expected to be present  at the official opening on Wednesday from 3pm.

The new school, set to house about  150 children, is  easily one of the most modern of its kind in Dominica and boasts the following: Seven(7) classrooms; Principal’s office and Reception Area; One  Library and Computer room; One Laboratory and Art room; One Home Economics room; Counselling/Sick room; Staff lounge; Fire safety equipment; One Multipurpose court; Cafeteria/Auditorium; Court yard/playing area; Toilets, washrooms and showers for students and staff; a parking lot and an elevator(lift).

The new San Sauveur Primary School is designed to International Educational Building Standards with child friendly architecture to create a functional and fun environment. The colour scheme used in each classroom is to suit each age group with ample natural lighting.

The contractor on the project was Mr. Melchisedeck Toussaint from the community of Castle Bruce. The consultant was La Robe Creole Professional Services.

The cost of the new San Sauveur Primary School is $3.8 million. Funded under the CARICOM Petroleum Fund facility and the Government of the Commonwealth of Dominica, construction work began in 2008.

– Sean Douglas, Government Press Secretary

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73 Comments

  1. stupes
    April 28, 2010

    good job.pretty school but i think they should fence the school as possible,because of the river,but good job.

  2. LASIMON
    April 28, 2010

    Why do we dominican’s like to be so judgemental and negative???

    In the midst of it all, we must give thanks, even if it is for the little we have. Hey People, do not hate on our development… I am a former San Sauveur student and i would have loved to be educated in an institution like this.

    Hats off to the local residents who built it. Most of you praise the Government but what about the local talent who brought it to life??? This is true and magnificient talent.

    Aunty Sha Sha, many thanks to you. Only God knows (your friends and family too) the amount of dedication, hard work and sweat you put into this project. Just a pity I am not able to be at the opening but I will be there in spirit. Aunty Corno and the rest of the crew will represent me…

    All in All, we have a piece of Art in our community. Let us thank God for it and hope we take good care of it and treasure it.

    Maybe in time, fencing the compound will become a reality…

    GOD BLESS SAN SAUVEUR

    • Kindness Peace
      May 11, 2010

      FENCING ,,,,, CREATES A BARRIER BETWEEN THE FLOWING WATER, AND THE YOUNG ACTIVE STUDENTS OF THE SCHOOL!!!!!!!! THEY DO NOT GO TOGETHER, (DESKS AND CHAIRS DO!) THE BEAUTIFUL RIVER WATER , MAY POSE A DANGER TO CHILDREN, (NOT THE OTHER WAY AROUND) GOT IT!!!!!! SO PLEASE…….. NICE SCHOOL. WE ALL THANK GOD!

  3. qstorm78
    April 28, 2010

    As a former student, I must say I’m happy to see this. This is a move in the right direction and I hope it makes a huge difference in the lives of the students like the old one did in mine. To the people of the community please encourage everyone to keep this school clean and free from vandalism and destruction. I’m also glad to see they kept the old school as well, this thing is historic..This is a proud day for my community, just wish teacher kito could have been there to see this day..

    And to those who are critizing, nothing will ever be made whole to satisfy everyone’s liking.. Give suggestions, dont critisize, they built a school not a prison..

    Just my 2 cents!!

  4. love dr
    April 27, 2010

    i thing i no it have a river close there and mine my child when them teachers minding ppl business and but y so pretty na a carnival cruise line man

  5. labourrrrrr power 2
    April 27, 2010

    CONGRATS AUNTY SHARONNNNNNNN YOU DID A WONDERFUL JOBBBBBBBBBBB YOU SHOULD E PROUD OF YOURSELF

  6. Junior Toussaint
    April 27, 2010

    Great job Bro. Well done. My Brother built that school

    • Wanna be Dominican
      April 27, 2010

      yeah congrats to dick and his boys….holla at Garvin aka feh”

    • Lancia Benjamin-Reid
      April 28, 2010

      Yes I second that, he did a wonderful job. The area needed the new school,. My mun and brothers and sisters went to the old school, and they are now in there mid to late 70s’.

      Well done to all who took part.

    • cbmassive
      April 29, 2010

      big up to dick and de CB workers. job well done nuff respect

  7. April 27, 2010

    Kalinago, what do you think of the school?

    • Kalinago
      April 28, 2010

      Winston, I am a firm believer of the idea that “an educated nation is and will be a prosperous nation.”

      Whatever “state of the art’ means, I am not sure since this is more of a subjective term than anything else.

      I remember when I started high school just after Hurricane David at St. Andrews High School in Londonderry, we didn’t have much: donated desks, poor lighting, very little ventilation. We were just happy that we finally had a high school on the east coast. When I graduated five years later the school had a great lab. The school had evolved after going through some teething pains and my generation of students were relatively successful.

      So whenever I see institutions being built to educate the future generation my heart beats with excitement. And they don’t have to go through what I went through during my first two years of high school.

      The school looks good, one or two things such as landscaping and other aesthetics need to be done but the bottom line is the students in the area have a place to learn.

  8. ori-g-nel
    April 27, 2010

    wow… de best school i’ve ever seen hmmm too bad i’m too old…lol oh i might jus get a job..

  9. JBJ
    April 27, 2010

    wow! well congrats! job well done, I am sure the children will enjoy their new environment, makes me want to be a kid again just to go back to school, lol

    I just have a few comments/questions , 1) please protect the children from that river, 2) is the building accesible by wheelchair?

  10. April 27, 2010

    Great job done by all involved. We have to shape our young minds today to be the leaders of tomorrow take care of this beautiful building and encourage our youths it takes a village to raise our children.

  11. the islets
    April 27, 2010

    BIG UP TO THE CONSTRUCTION ENGINEER MELCHISADECK “DICK” TOUSSAINT padna u did a fantastic job. Proud of the work u do.I know the school will be well taken care of the SAN SAUVEUR STAFF AND community including GOODHOPE AND SOUFRIERE always take pride in their infrastructure.

    • Dominican in the BVI
      April 28, 2010

      By now you should know the difference between Petite Soufriere and Soufriere so call a spade a spade.And to the idiot who called it a cruise line.Maybe you have never traveled to another country to see beauty.. The new school is perfect the color is unique. I love it .You see the problem with us ,we cannot contribute but we are quick to point fingers.I only hope that you and the height of your stupidity, does not deface or vandalize government property. Hats off to all who made it possible. With the proper equipments and adequate resources the children from the community will exhibit exemplary performance to better themselves and the community as a whole. AGAIN WELL DONE and GOOD LUCK TO THE TEACHERS. HEY SHARON I DID NOT FORGET YOU .

  12. Wow..dominican student
    April 27, 2010

    My people and my children.. .ENJOY your new school… I can tell you when i entered the New Building of Pierre Charles Secondary School (formerly, Grand Bay Secondary School)… i felt so brand new, it wasn’t funny and as a child that’s how you feel when you transfer from an old building to a new one. I know that some of you will love it. Make the best of it and treat it like it was your own home. I know some of you will. This is a great move for the community and its surroundings and its people.
    Cherish it and love it. that’s all i have to say.

    I am proud that you guys have a new school.

    P.S.
    before i leave… Please if there is anyone out there that can make donations of library books, junior readers, math, science, you name it. please do so, we are all Dominicans and we need to look out for each other. I am a university student and if i could i would have. Please people well it was someone to think about it and say it. so i said it. again if i could i would have but i will do so when I can. so if u can please do so. it will show the kids that we all care.

    Take Care and God bless.

  13. Anonymous
    April 27, 2010

    Admittedely this is a beautiful building. However just look at the ground no grass ,no planted trees nothingat to make that building so great.Dominicans do not accept that building as state of the art,There is nothing attractive of the building without the appearance.You make a plate of food palatable by the attractiveness of the plate.This building is incomplete and should not be opened until it is properly manicured. Go oversees or on the internet and witness how a building is completed, Poor Poor just look at the windsor Park entrance disgusting.

    • Wow..dominican student
      April 27, 2010

      my dear,
      did you consider finding out if this is a current picture of today and or yesterday (if you get my drift)
      find the facts before you make a comment. don’t display such attitude. yes there are times that things like this happen and instead of thanking the almighty for what you have received, you say that is not enough. Be a grown and act like a grown up. we don’t know WHY the school is being opened now. It could be that the old building is totally unstable and they need to get the kids out before a tragedy. it could be many reasons. Gosh i just wish sometimes that people can find within themselves the need to be considerate and thankful.

      god bless you my dear

      • Do say
        April 27, 2010

        True, true, true, true.

        Thanks for that comment.

    • BB
      April 27, 2010

      You should have re-read your statement before posting so that your point could have been more clear. From what I’ve read you seem to want to get the point across that there should be a floral presence in the school yard. Though I’ve never been to the area, I’m sure that there is enough of a floral presence–THIS IS DOMINICA after all. As for your comments about overseas state of the art buildings, I assure you that many do not have a driblet of the surrounding beauty that small shacks in Dominica do! You should not compare buildings you may have seen in Seattle (for example) to one in a small village of a developing nation.

      Again, re-read before you post as you make yourself seem like an unlearned nincompoop–though you may not be.

    • SsC
      April 27, 2010

      quit being so negative, you’re coming off as a typical hater, so what if there’s no grass, students don’t go to school to look at grass, stop being so narrow minded. The finishing natural touch will come in due time.

      • labourrrrrr power 2
        April 27, 2010

        DOMINICANS STUPID TOO EH ANONYMOUS U JUST SHUDNT COMMENT GOSH MAN

    • Cesare Bonventre
      April 27, 2010

      Well Said!

      Plants and nature have been proven conducive to healing and learning!

    • Dominican by Family
      April 27, 2010

      look you people are just so stupid!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! WHy is is so hard for you guys to appreciate that little that is being done? Whether the building has a plant or grass in the yard is not important, whats important is its use, to the young children of the area,

      So what if it does not have a tree or grass? That can come along late!!!!

      Am sure you are one of the many fools who travel abroad and embarrass this poor little country! Talking about ”overseas”.

      The reasons why the tourist love Dominica and the other Caribbean countries is because we are not like them, they step into a different world, away from all the busy hectic lifestyles.

      i really think Dominica needs to purge its self of people like you, thats when progress will take place.

      LEARN TO APPRECIATE !!!!! STOP THE NEGATIVITY AND YOU’LL SEE THE DIFFERENCE

      • Dominican in the BVI
        April 28, 2010

        Well said Dominican by family i said the same thing myself. I attended that school i taught at that school ,i sat on stones and that did not deter me from getting where i am today. I bathed in the river every day at lunch time and i’m still standing. Some people just cannot be content with what they have. They want to get to the top of the mountain without climbing. come on man flowers and trees ,and grass will come soon enough. But for now give the people their props. People read those comments we post so think before you post your shit.

    • miss fondcole
      April 28, 2010

      You ppl must grow up an act like adults.. The school is well built an attractive .save ur negative comment about u doe find nothing attractive about d building becuz the outside is incomplete an d school should not open becuz of dat.how can u be so stupid don’t u have kids?? Everything needs time the main fact is d children will be more comfortable an dere will be more learnin facilities.. The children aself is goin to make d outer part of the building pretty by plantin there crops,vegetables,and flowers. So plz if u don’t have anything thing positive to say don’t come on a job well done an critize. Wats wrong with d area dey cannot have a BEAUTIFUL an ATTRACTIVE school think about the childrens education u ppl killin me wit does stupid mentally am jus in my 20″s an I think so much different grown adults especially those wit children.. Am very impressed with the school an it huge change..congrats aunty SHARON and the rest of the TEAM lookin forward for u guys to design my home keep up the good work don’t be discourage jus keep your heads up..

    • Dominican in the BVI
      April 28, 2010

      Anonymous shut you a** . Why don’t you volunteer to plant some trees. Plan your own ARBOR DAY and go plant a tree. Rome was not built in a day. They opened the school so that our kids can learn ,the trees and grass will be planted later. So you mean until a tree is planted there should be no school?I don’t think you know the importance of school .. Go read a book.

  14. April 27, 2010

    Wow Wow, what a beautiful site..Very beautiful school..Hope that will motivate the students and teachers..That’s a school to be cherished..Children go to school and learn and keep the school as tidy as possible..

  15. April 27, 2010

    Great job.massive structure,do not forget a river is closeby.will need a retaining wall.continue the good work.

  16. Marian Jno-Finn
    April 27, 2010

    Congratulations to my brother Melchisedec Toussaint. Hats off to you darling. Great job! Congratulation to everyone involved.

    To the students please take good care of this gift and don’t pollute the river.

    Marian Jno-Finn

    • Junior Toussaint
      April 27, 2010

      Great job Bro. Well done. Marian you missed the ‘K’. It’s “Melchisedeck”

  17. April 27, 2010

    pretty building, where d hurricane shutters, n earth quake proof and right on a river bank,whoa

  18. Triplea
    April 27, 2010

    WHERE IS STAY TUNED AND THE NEXT LEVEL… YOU PEOPLE COME OUT AND CONGRATULATE THE PEOPLE ON THE PROJECT.. YOU CANT JUST BE NEGATIVE ALL THE TIME..

    • labourrrrrr power 2
      April 27, 2010

      i agree with YOU their a** shuttttttttttt and we does always catch them with their pants down

  19. precious stones
    April 27, 2010

    Well done Mr. PM hats off to you, all OLD SCHOOLS in the other Villages tear them down one by one and give our children a love for education….. To the Contractor well done. Parents remember to let your children know the importance of taking care of there school. May God bless the PM and God bless my country DOMINICA.

  20. April 27, 2010

    great good job yahhhh build one in thibaud and vieille case like dat skerro my contry boy

  21. April 27, 2010

    googoo skool keepit safe and clean, don’t distroy it guys…….

  22. Joy
    April 27, 2010

    I like….. a lot. This will give the children a new enthusiam about learning and the teachers .. a new zeal…. more energy. I can remember when the new DSC opened… that was nice and fresh……. made you want to just go to class every day.. it was brighter and fresher than my very bedroom. Good vibes.
    Children go to schoo and learn well… please.

  23. April 27, 2010

    I am so proud to see a D/A architect do a great piece of work. Good job. Hope the people of that village keep this place up, and the children take advantage of the education offered to them. D/can people are smart people on the whole, take advantage of the education.
    DOMINICAN TO THE BONE

  24. Petite Soufriere
    April 27, 2010

    State Of D Art School…. To Accomodate… Like What? ……. 30 Students…How Nice!!! Next Level!

    • LOVE DOMINICA
      April 27, 2010

      Is ayo so dat duh make y’all country look bad!!!!! They tried something, appreciate it! Before u even blast ur dirty mouth on it! I have been to this area in the county and it reminds me of the places in africa so please be greatful. Is People like you that prevent DOMINICA from moving forward.

      SHUT YUH !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

      U PEOPLE JUST NEED TO DIE…..AND LET DOMINICA MOVE ON

      GOOD JOB PEOPLE!!!!!

      • haha...some people furious even in de midst positivity
        April 27, 2010

        haha i like a little of what u said, but be humble lol dont tell them they need to die nuh… control yourself darling mwen.

        anyways that person have some very bad genes. they need to do some negative eugenics on this person self wi..

        awa man eveur le moune… zor ka fou ahben kissa? stupes…

        MY GOSH its people like them that give the internet viruses with those kinda things they say.. they so negative, their viruses come out original and it mutating every second. we need to find a heavy solution to deal with them

        so dont worry with the blasted APE as my grandpa would say.. lol …but i still like what u were trying say in reply haha..funny

        • i love Dominica
          April 27, 2010

          Sorry i said that but i was so mad!

          Am not even a Dominican, am just inlove with this place and want to see good for it. But some people just can’t see the country do good, always want bad, and try their best to prevent good things from occurring.

          GOOD JOB to Dick and his boys

    • BB
      April 27, 2010

      READ THE ARTICLE!!!!!!

      “The new school, set to house about 150 children”

    • XTREM
      April 27, 2010

      Poor soul. SARCASTIC

    • Anonymous
      April 27, 2010

      So where would you prefer to put the 30 students? In an old run down house or a state of the art school? If you can put one student in a state of the art school, it is worth it. So shut up. That is why all you will always stay ignorant.

      • labourrrrrr power 2
        April 27, 2010

        BOY WE HAVE SOME STUPIDDDDDDDDDDD PEOPLE IN THAT COUTRY EH YOUR DAMN BLASTED ILLITERATEEEEEEEEEEEEEE IT SAID IT ACCOMODATES 150 STUDENTS

  25. lauretta
    April 27, 2010

    great job prime minister let the opposition see the progress you have to this small village congrats and keep on doing more so that they can see they are coming back to run our beautiful country again.

    • BB
      April 27, 2010

      Sorry. Posted in the wrong place.

  26. Del
    April 27, 2010

    Mention was made of LaRobe Creole as Consultants! Hats of to you Sharon Severin……This is your baby! You should be proud………See what the youth can do. Great Job!!!!

    • labourrrrrr power 2
      April 27, 2010

      oh yes HATS OF TO MISS SHARON SEVERINNNNNNNNNNN NOW THATS WHAT YOU CALL A CLASSY WOMAN WITH BRAINSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSS

  27. Out of South City
    April 27, 2010

    What a beautiful sight! Great work in the making! The first thought that came to my mind when I saw the picture was ” a school built so close to a river?” Teachers have to be quite vigilant for the young ones during recess. All in all, that’s great progress from the time I went to school. Keep up the great work Dominica. Let us show the other countries that we have the capabality of having the best too.

    May our people cherish what we have and take good care of this beautiful building.

  28. contributor
    April 27, 2010

    this is a beautiful project. thumbs up to the government and people of Dominica. parents work with your children, the beautiful building cannot do it all.

  29. XTREM
    April 27, 2010

    ALL Kudos to Loreen Bannis- Roberts who stood steadfast amongst all the criticism to ensure that this school was constructed. They said its was too big, they say the location was not suitable, they tried countless times to have the people revolt for the construction of a SCHOOL, and much more HORSE MANURE. She saw the need and as the visionary that she is decided to pursue the project for the good of the people she humbly served.

    GREAT PROJECT, GREAT EFFORT.

  30. WHAT NONESENSE
    April 27, 2010

    i like what i see a fence will be a pluss and a good sea wall would be great but im happy they have a good school

  31. FOR REAL
    April 27, 2010

    Great, but there needs to be a fence, to separate the children from the river. Thank you

  32. Power to the People
    April 27, 2010

    Great Job!!! Well done!!! We are moving to the next level.

  33. Eric Cartman
    April 27, 2010

    hey Stay Tuned isn’t this ‘next level’? lol.

  34. steve
    April 27, 2010

    3.8 million for 7 classrooms wow

  35. Natural Living
    April 27, 2010

    Job well done Sha….you are fantastic!!!!

  36. ITASSI IN FLORIDA
    April 26, 2010

    Please protect the kids by putting a FENCE around the school. Roosevelt, congratulations I know that this is not the END of your view for us. I APPLAUD you despite all of the negative talk. You are my HOME BOY. CONGRATULATIONS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

  37. April 26, 2010

    That’s a beautiful sight. Don’t you think that the building is too close to the river,

    incase of overflowing its bank? Or maybe they might have in mind of putting up backwalls.

  38. ms spontaneous
    April 26, 2010

    Wow that’s the next level. Hope the kids learn very well in this comfortable zone

  39. hmmm
    April 26, 2010

    Contractor Melchisedeck (Dick) congrats to you my old school mate and friend……..great job. They really needed that school. Please take care of it.

  40. Dominican in T.O.
    April 26, 2010

    Nice…Hopefully this is just the start of a new trend: Investing in good education…Dominica needs more stuff like this.

  41. DA4LYFE
    April 26, 2010

    Looking good….We need to fix all the schools in Dominica..I know it would cost a lot of money but it would be worth it in the long run

    DA4LYFE

  42. princess d12
    April 26, 2010

    petite soufriere people should be glad..they doe vote labour 4 nothing…..their children maybe happy boi….i should be there to enjoy this…i hope they take care of it

  43. princess d12
    April 26, 2010

    that a beautiful pic,,,,well wat they want again,,they get skool

    • XTREM
      April 27, 2010

      Bonjay that talk there sound sooo familiar. lol lol

  44. Triplea
    April 26, 2010

    Lets see who is going to congratulate the Government on completing this school for our youths.. I can only tell the students and people of the area it’s yours and i hope it will be kept in the best possible shape..

  45. YAH
    April 26, 2010

    not bad at all!

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