DSC expands opportunities for adult learners

The new Board of Governors and new President of the Dominica State College have been quietly putting in place a governance system and operational management that is structured to handle a new initiative focused on expanding opportunities for all Dominicans to access higher education and refocusing the College’s mandate towards making students succeed.

In that respect, the Board of Governors have now required that effective September 2011 for the beginning of the Academic Year, the College will no longer operate from 8:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. but instead will be prepared to deliver programmes to both traditional students and adult learners willing to pursue degree programmes at the College.  The new hours of operation will be 8:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m., Mondays to Thursday; 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Fridays.

These new hours will essentially expand the master schedule to allow traditional students to get all the courses necessary to graduate on time, and will give working adults the opportunity to pursue degree and certificate programs from 5:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m., Mondays to Thursdays.

To start this new initiative, President, Dr. Donald Peters has indicated that the College will be offering eleven (11) certificate programmes for persons wishing to avail themselves of new skills, refresher courses or starting new careers.

The courses are in the areas of:

•    Small Business Management
•    Events Management
•    Vehicle Maintenance for Women
•    Electrical Installation
•    Basic Architectural Design
•    Project Planning Essentials
•    Excel for Business
•    International Taxation in the Caribbean Context
•    Domestic Electronic Maintenance
•    Container Vegetable Growing for Women
•    Effective Communication for Supervisors

The average cost for these programs is Two Hundred and Fifty Dollars ($250.00), and most will be offered at the Bath Estate Campus.

The College expects that courses will be filled quickly and advises the public to register early.

Other new initiatives include:

•    Changes in the Faculty of Education to graduate primary and secondary school teachers on time;
•    New standards for the employment of instructors;
•    More student activities including  a journalism Club;
•    New College Coach to coach the College Sports teams; and
•    The renovation of a student center.

Students, staff and faculty that we spoke to, all expressed optimism and satisfaction in the new Board of Governors policies and the work of new President Dr. Donald C. Peters.

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23 Comments

  1. good
    April 2, 2011

    It look like we are last again, St kitts gives out laptop for all high school, SVG have a nursing school, adult education, early child hood education and the Government gives out thirty thousand laptop for every school child in St Vincent and the Grenadines. Skerrit is doing very good but he have to put on his running shoe, everything he talking about SVG has it, they even has 1000 room building, where you can go and study IT.

    • Sout Man
      April 3, 2011

      And your point is??? Should we or should we not, whether we are first or last? DSC has a faculty/department for education that trains both secondary and elementary school teachers. Early childhood education is a required course for all education majors (ie; teachers).. The same can be said for nursing. Do I need to say more?

      Let’s just thank DSC’s president, governors and faculty for having the foresight to broaden its curriculum to educate a wider cross section of the population. Suggestions are always welcome but why the cynicism? My only questtions are : 1) Are all men well versed in vehicle maintenance and vegetable growing in containers? and, 2) what if few women sign up? I understand the intent but why not have two classes, if needs be, instead of limiting participation? I foresee these classes being popular because these are the types of training that leads to self-employment. Electrical installation is another. These are positive developments. Keep it up!!

  2. Amorcita
    April 2, 2011

    I think that nursing should also be included cause there are many persons who would like to study nursing but are unable during the day.

  3. POSITIVE DOMINICAN
    April 2, 2011

    NO COURSES YOU HAVE LAID OUT INTERESTS ME.NURSING SHOULD BE FIRST ON THE LIST.PSYCHOLOGY AND SOCIOLOGY FOLLOW AFTER.TRY TO SEE HOW THESE CAN FIT IN FOR SEPTEMBER.GOOD MOVE. THIS GOVERNMENT IS A WORKING GOVERNMENT.

  4. online
    April 2, 2011

    What about online courses. I think that could be a good initiative.

    • me R
      April 3, 2011

      Online courses is a great idea and i`m already interested.Education means wealth.

      • Online
        April 4, 2011

        true that so am I….We are living in a time where we have to cater for everyone and that means bringing the classroom to peoples homes. DSC must make itself more competitive in that regard

  5. yes
    April 2, 2011

    Wonderful opportunties

  6. yout
    April 1, 2011

    nursing pleeeease pleaaase pleaaaase

    • YEP
      April 2, 2011

      FOR REAL, I SECOND THAT. THEY SHOULD HAVE NURSING FOR ADULTS ALSO, FOR THOSE WHO WANT TO JOIN THE FIELD OF NURSING, BUT ARE UNABLE TO BECAUSE OF FINANCE AND WORK…

  7. Anonymous
    April 1, 2011

    thats great!

  8. for real
    April 1, 2011

    Nothing is wrong with new initiatives but presently DSC cannot finance the programmes that are being undertaken. Lecturers in the Faculty of Education who are responsible for supervising the primary and secondary schools teachers who are doing their the teaching practice in the schools all over the country cannot be paid their mileage claims from September 2010 to March 2011. A State Colledge cannot be run effectively with no money……

    • 2011...wow
      April 1, 2011

      Where there is a will, there is a way…..positive think, any thing worth having is worth fighting for..

      building a foundation for a better tomorrow..

      • for real
        April 3, 2011

        wow, i agree, but more money has to be injected into education if we want to build a foundation. you ever build a house? the foundation takes most money. so, if we really serious, we have to put out money. good will, good intentions, will not do it. and who’s going to teach these new courses? how are they going to be paid, overtime too? plans are good, but we need money for all those pretty stuff to work!!!!!!

        • the tongue
          April 3, 2011

          well once the college starts extending its hours that means its enrollment will grow. with growth in enrollment, more money will come. Operating from 8 to 3 limits intake because there are so many students per lecturer and so many classes… atleast lets see where this is heading.

  9. Fond Cole
    April 1, 2011

    Good initiative… looking forward to this!

  10. susan
    April 1, 2011

    I am kind of disappointed hotel management or tourism courses are not being offered,but,I think it is a good move.Hope people will take full advantage of those offered.God Bless All.

  11. Righteous
    April 1, 2011

    What about the Tourism Courses? I was excited to see the first part of the release but the list is just messed up! Tourism Students are waiting to continue classes, some since 4 yrs ago!!! Where are the Tourism Classes for the Adults in the evening Dr. Peter? God help us wii….I just don’t know what or how we think in this country sometimes….JAH help your people!

  12. ???????????
    April 1, 2011

    Very good initiative … Dominicans take note… Go for the next level. Adults please take note!

  13. Former Student
    April 1, 2011

    I think this initiative will provide significant improvements for both the adult and traditional learner. The extended opening hours should indeed facilitate those who are otherwise engaged during the normal hours. It is my opinion that is just the beginning of an improved approach to academic excellence. ‘Hats off to you’ Dr. Peters. Keep up the good work.

  14. Brain Damage
    April 1, 2011

    Just wondering if some of the courses given, will replace those when the college was Clifton Dupigny College.

  15. me R
    April 1, 2011

    DNO, does that mean a 7th grade primery school leaver of the 70`s, can achieve a High School Diploma? Am concerned and interested.

  16. Fortunate Circumstances:
    April 1, 2011

    Mr. Peters :
    You are doing a good job in defining a systematic structure for the college. I pray that the college continues to get the necessary resources (professional and financial) to help build its reputation as a leading and competitive learning institution in the region.

    Mr. Peters, thank you for your continued progressive contribution to Dominica ‘s development. Desipe our challenges as a nation, you are home utilizing your expertise to ensure economic growth in our country – Educational development and our economic survival are synonymous.

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