$3.1-million boost for education
Dominica News Online - Wednesday, February 13th, 2013 at 2:26 PM
Education Minister Petter Saint Jean
A $3.1-million investment has been made by the Dominican government to enhance the quality of technical/vocational education in Dominica.
The money was used to purchase tools and equipment which will be distributed in various schools around the island, according Chief Education Officer, Steve Hyacinth.
The initiative is part of the on-going Dominica Education Enhancement Project (DEEP) which began in July, 2010.
Education Minister, Petter Saint Jean, said that the project was an important one which is geared at improving access to quality education at both primary and secondary levels.
“This project is consistent with the government’s policy to reduce poverty and vulnerability while providing support for human development especially for the poor, the disadvantaged and the vulnerable,” he said at a press conference on Wednesday.
According to him the project focuses on two main areas which include the upgrading of primary and secondary schools and improved teacher quality through training and scholarships funded by DEEP.
The education minister noted that 42 teachers have received tertiary level training through that project in various areas including mathematics, visual and performing arts, agriculture, special education, industrial arts and cosmetology.
“Six educators have been trained in the fields of education, clinical psychology, special education and speech therapy. These trained individuals will be absorbed into the system to provide much needed intervention as we seek to reverse the trend of ill-discipline at our schools,” Saint Jean pointed out.
Meanwhile Hyacinth has sought to dispel allegations that technical/vocational subjects are not taught in the island’s secondary schools.
“I wish that as individuals we do so in an informed position. We should try to ensure that whatever we say is in fact correct and accurate. I have heard it said that we do not offer technical/vocational subjects in our schools, this is untrue! All of our schools offer technical/vocational subjects some more than others but all do. I’ve heard it said that we do not teach agriculture this is false! Our primary and secondary schools teach agriculture and some schools have gone on to build green houses and students do write examinations,” Hyacinth stated.
DEEP is being funded by the Government of Dominica through an $11.3-million loan from the Caribbean Development Bank.
It is now past the half way stage and has expended about $4.6-million.
Project co-ordinator Randolph Felix noted that the project will spend approximately $5-million on tools and equipment this year.
The following tools and equipment were procured for distribution among schools across the island:
Crop production – $432, 446.00
Special Education equipment and materials $245,180.00
Computers and related equipment – $453,850.00
Furniture making equipment – $43,751.17
Food preparation equipment – $542,855.41
Cosmetology equipment – $297,628.31
Plumbing equipment – $177,024.66
Work place safety equipment – $101,810.33
Physical education equipment – $52,311.90
Mathematics resources – $117,092.22
Garment production equipment – $125,815.14
Electrical/electronic equipment – $71,761.54
Music and VPA equipment – $19.774.83
Automotive repair equipment – $354,930.60
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17 Comments
Look at the Music got
$297,000 in cosmetology…does that include the cost of the scholaship for the wife of the ……. who sit down in the school up north doing nothing?….hmmmm
Stuppessssssssssssssssssssssssssssss… This is not a favour. That’s what you are paid to do.
the stupidest thing they ever did was “universal education”, it has never worked. Now they’re making noise over vocational schools?? You had them before, they are nothing new, you closed them with some big brouhaha, now your original plan isn’t working, you want to open them again and claim it was your idea?
Why not use some of the empty school buildings for dedicated vocational schools instead of disrupting existing schools. Scott s Head remains closed and empty, Thibaud school is 90% unoccupied use them as well as others.
Agreed. Lets have A few vocational high schools…
Im sorry for the country with some of the attitudes i see here. build a state house waste of money it should be used for education instead. use money for education people still complaining. i mean come on people. you are not happy that the youth will be able to have different options in education. you prefer to complain and make it a political issue. Dominica is not the worst place in the world. in the US there a parents and teachers protesting for beter school conditions. the students have to sit on the floor teachers have to use an old trailer home as office there is no headt toilets and rat infestations. some of you even have to bring an international airport into it. I would love to see one built, but only if it is sustainable and will not be a burden on dominicans necks. People just be happy that the youth are getting the attention that they need and stop making everything a political issue.
Tht government always hav 3.1 millllion 4 project…look 4 it u not seeing it, job creation pls, cannot eat concrete
OMG…look ignorance! Did you read the story? It is investment into materials for vocational training! Holy moly…you people and the constant negativity!
BTW that translates into job creation. Wearing your ignorance as a badge of honour I see!
Are you up to being the 43rd trained teacher? Concrete placement is a job. The conrete building is the place to house the job.
Wonderful initiative. Hope the teachers are properly trained to pass on the knowledge and the expected results acheived. Much kudos to the government and Ministry of education.
these prices are blown up prices all false
Really?
Based on the information presented, the intention sounds worthwhile. But my honest greatest concern with this is why can’t we be able to fund such small projects from our treasury? Why do we always have to be taking loans to move forward?…
Investments in educational advancement is great! I really do welcome the the focus on vocation/technical skills and special edcuation. However I hope that comprehensive program(s) assessments, continuous monitoring accountability are also in place.
Should read, “continuous montoring and accountability”
Petter, you need to find a job, because all of this petty silly talk does not mean anything to people anymore, even the diehard labor party supporters do not wish to hear that.
Your boast is simply sweet sounding nothing!
If government fail to fund anything education, or what have you in the country, who do you anticipate should do the founding? Have you become so accustom to getting handouts from China and others sources that you have forgotten that the government of Dominica was elected by the people of the country to conduct the business of the people who includes creating the source of revenue to run the country?
I would hope that people do pay taxes in Dominica, so when their tax paying dollars are invested in anything that is intended for the benefit of the nation; I consider it ridiculous that any politician should start babbling about it simply to try and gain political mileage.
Industrialize the country, build an International Airport which will help to generate revenue, hence our dependency will not be on the Chines, or any foreign nation.
Do something in the country which able us to stand on our own two feet, when you have accomplish that I will listen to your music, and perhaps dance it along with you boy:
Until then you are not saying anything to impress
Hhahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahah!
Francisco Etienne-Dods Telemaque
Sound investment!!
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