DSC operations cost to increase

DSC president Donald Peters
DSC president Donald Peters

The newly constructed state of the art Dominica State College (DSC) is expected to increase the cost of it operations and management has already signaled that it will seek to put measures in place to address the problem.

On Monday, the $30-million facility opened its doors to 1,750 students, including 740 freshmen.

President of the DSC Donald Peters said the college’s budget will increase by at least 20 percent.

“We have appealed to parents and students to pay as much of their fees as possible because certainly government cannot pay 90 percent of the fees,” he said. “We have seen some encouraging start and we have systems in place for students who cannot pay everything. We have to keep funds coming in.”

Peters said he is also worried about what is expected to be an exorbitant electricity bill.

“The faculty and I met … we have our plans to green the DSC,” he noted. “This means that we are will be looking at alternative energy sources like windmill and solar in the future. We are also asking students in the meantime to conserve the use of energy. We will be monitoring that as strongly as we can.”

He also indicated that the DSC would also be looking for additional assistance from government to address the problem.

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43 Comments

  1. lolz
    September 25, 2013

    1750 students right now. 740 freshman. In two years will there be 740 jobs available to these students in order to pay back their education costs? Its simple common sense that a new building means new costs when it comes to maintenance and energy needs.

    So why D/cans getting on saying about Govt should pay? This the next level you were asking for. The grass is now greener, and now the water bill is higher.

  2. Really
    September 25, 2013

    Dr.Peters,
    Good opportunity to introduce a course at the College called Green energy where the students will be taught to construct, erect and maintain solar panels, wind panels, bio gas etc. I am sure that the Chinese who possess this technology could be persuaded to provide the technical expertise and initial materials. These could be then sold to the Dominican public at a cost that would be cheep as well as bring in funds for the College. Instead of purchasing the technology with money that you do not have, why not sign an MOU with the Chinese Government to establish this course and business at the College. Its time to stop depending on student fees and government subvention and being to move away from pure academics and make a real and meaningful contribution to Dominica.
    What do you think Dr. Peters? You do not seem to have a clue so I am making this suggestion….. :lol:

    • Grotesque
      September 25, 2013

      Good Point ‘Really’
      Thats is exactly why I noted this earlier as a ‘tail before the donkey situation’… Things are not done with proper consultation in this country. The powers that be and the donor country are fully aware of our struggles. Electricity bills are just like maintaining children in this country. In this 2013 we are still making 25yr old mistakes. The positioning of the facility is quite suitable for tapping into some solar and wind energy, yet they created another burden on tax payers back. We need to benefit Technical expertise from these foreign bodies and stop allowing ourselves to be exploited, by people who see us as ‘Dom’
      Chronic Beggars thats what we are.
      Bless

  3. student
    September 25, 2013

    Only now they have realized that bigger classrooms, bigger building, more AC units translate to more and higher energy bills. And the College is supposed to be preparing the youth for their future. If the Bosses can not plan for the future of A BUILDING so that they do not have to increase fees to cove cost( much like the GVT increasing taxes to cover operational costs) what are they teaching the students.
    GO GREEN, maybe they should have asked Ronald Asaphan, or Ma Shabaz who have housed running on green power.

  4. Anonymous
    September 25, 2013

    What all you making noise for? All you phones, jewelry, clothes more than the school fee. All you phone is one shot is over 2000 dollars. Dominic a has one of the lowest school fees in the Caribbean. Go to places like Antigua, anguilla, Dominica school fee is peanuts compared to these islands. When is to buy a new clothes to go a jam all you doesen’t cry. I sure all you clothes and ticket well set for Creole Fest. So why can’t all you make the sacrifice to aid in your children’s education. Education is key and vanity will come after. All you Dominicans are just so hard to please! All you so like nice things, all you should like the school. All you didn’t like the old one they put all you in a state of the art one is a problem. Well I have no problem with it. And I will continue going there, because at the end of the day I come to accomplish one goal and that is to obtain my associate degree. VIVA SKERRIT!

  5. sharp tooth
    September 25, 2013

    Please take a salary cut instead of putting the load on the country’s bad debts already. This is what the country needs to do take salary cuts on all the large salaries people are getting. Hope Workers party will consider this when they get into office. It will help our country well.

  6. Truth be told
    September 25, 2013

    Dominican visionaries at work – heaven help us! All this talk about sustainable development and the challenges of small island states and you all build a state-of-the-art modern educational facility in the 21st Century in a tropical island which is well endowed with rain, sun and wind, and you all did not factor in any renewable energy? And what about the state house – I hope it does?! Otherwise Dr Peters you and this government get an F for failure on your report card!

  7. Reader
    September 25, 2013

    My people never cease to amaze me! All over the world people pay for college. College fees increase annually. The more savy parents start saving for their kids parents from the time they are infants. Those of you living outside of Dominica (in the US, UK, Canada, etc.) KNOW this to be true. Its heartbreaking to sometimes see bright kids being unable to attend colleges and universities just because they or their parents can’t afford … but it is a sad unfortunate reality. I agree, alternative energy use – such as solar – should have been factored in during the design and building phase. However, to make noise about paying to send your kids to college is downright shameful. The government cannot and should not be expected to pay for everything. smdh

  8. glo Chaud
    September 25, 2013

    Boy the s… hits the fan again sooner than later…so they did not know the state of their energy consumption before they built or finish the “state of the art” facility? which “state of the art” facility these is being built without being green these days. I feel the pain of the poor single mother trying to educate her child(ren) so they do not follow in her footsteps. While looking at the steps to be climbed Guav-ar-ment lets start by creating some employment increasing the minimum for child support and putting a system in place to ensure the real people in need get the help they need. We already being watch by the worlld for our lack of vision giving our children “free” education is not an option less the IMF and EU decide we not poor anymore and refuse us donor aid. And really and truly the guav-a-ment cant afford to pay 90% of students bills….less the PM boast while the minister cry fowl on the stooodents.

  9. conscious
    September 25, 2013

    when students go to further their education don’t they student loans. what is the difference with Dominica. I think it hey rate is good. it is not high school anymore.

  10. open minded
    September 24, 2013

    waw! state of the art college that almost ready to return to candle light? hope they dont fool us with a state of the art hospital with no beds.By the way mr. Peters how dear you say government has no money and the PM is giving out by thousands of dollars in his constituency in the name of housing revolution

  11. UPSET
    September 24, 2013

    Where are the photos of the facility?

  12. Neg Mawon
    September 24, 2013

    Got to the Red Clinic for more assitance…lol!

  13. Nigel
    September 24, 2013

    what does it cost to go there at present? I agree Government should invest in their citizens future but students and parents also need to make an investment in their own futures. We run to the bank to take massive loans to give to American schools but we can’t spend an extra few hundred dollars for improve services and facilities which don’t come cheap.

  14. September 24, 2013

    Are they not paying for so many students education already? Not long ago so many people were claiming that they are refusing to pay the tax that they owe, if you all don’t pay your taxes, where will the government get money to pay for your children’s education.

  15. forkit
    September 24, 2013

    i can guarantee you or anybody if they did a valuation on the DSC it cost no where close to 30 million….

    jess now election money will be bowling,

  16. Lil Rockstar
    September 24, 2013

    Good thang I dont finish with that college commess wi pal.. Stupidness alone

    • Justice and Truth
      September 24, 2013

      What a shame it is that you made such a comment. You’re “Lil”, little alright. :twisted:

    • Country
      September 25, 2013

      You went to college and that’s how you spelling shame on you

  17. Operative
    September 24, 2013

    This increase to DSC school fees is unbelievable.It is already struggling in this country to send their kids to college,I am truly happy that they are able to facilitate more of the kids. But it is hard their is hardly any jobs and money in this country, and to the parents of the DSC a 20 percent raise will be found unbearable
    :(

    • Justice and Truth
      September 24, 2013

      Did you not read what he said he has something in place to assist those who cannot pay? You will not find this anywhere in the world, at least not in democratic countries and not in the progressive ones.
      When tuition is increased, everyone must pay their fair share even though it is through a government loan and grant.
      It is a world people do not get something for nothing. Costs increase. Be wise, considerate and learn something.

    • Just saying
      September 25, 2013

      I thought he said they will have a 20% increase in their budget and not a 20% increase in fees?

  18. Grotesque
    September 24, 2013

    Tail before the donkey scenario.Things which could’ve been considered prior to,and would’ve positively influenced building design and administrative management. Hopefully we’ll get a diplomatic excuse for this.

  19. Nudibranch
    September 24, 2013

    Try putting solar panels for light and hot water.

  20. CIA on the Watch
    September 24, 2013

    We hope the operations cost does not involve an increase in pay for the Dominica State College President.

  21. love
    September 24, 2013

    well well well i find that college not easy so if i havent got my daughter money now i must find a way to pay it now so how i sure after she pay her fee college not going to say she still owning

    • Justice and Truth
      September 24, 2013

      Do you not know that whatever she pays she should receive a receipt for it? This is how you will know if the full amount was paid or not and if she owes the college or not.

  22. ZULU
    September 24, 2013

    With the college population growing i hope we are adding a variety of courses and certifications geared at Dominica’s development and not just the academics academics that cause dominica to have a bunch of lawyers, doctors and “theoretical” agriculturists.

    I would like to see more practical courses such as farm management, hospitality, culinary arts, entertainment management, music, etc etc. They are probably implemented already but i have not heard.

    College can also be used by private sector to train staff in safety, service, and other work related certifications.

    If the college is more than 60% academics we going to continue to have a very unbalanced educated society continuing our current brain drain.

    • maye
      September 24, 2013

      well said Zulu……. In addition I hope it will be fully accredited…..in the past its only a few universities that accepted the associate degrees which is very bad .

    • Nigel
      September 24, 2013

      people are already complaining about high fees. adding additional courses require additional professors and to be accredited there are certain criteria’s that need to be met which is going to cost a lot. people need to pull their heads out there asses and expect to pay up for some things. everything is not going to come free all the time.
      Majority of Dominicans don’t and don’t want to pay taxes but want to benefit everything Government offers. when does it end???

    • Justice and Truth
      September 24, 2013

      The College authorities will do what they have to do and what is best for the students. Patience!

  23. Anthony P. Ismael
    September 24, 2013

    Admin, where are the photos?
    Thanks.

  24. Channel 1
    September 24, 2013

    Does this issue concerning the DSC bear any resemblance to or share a certain theme with a padner who is stuck with his recently bought (on hire-purchase) latest model big shiny double-door fridge in a house which has had its electricity supply disconnected for the past few months due to the padner’s inability to pay the outstanding light bills? 8-O 8-O

  25. On My Own!!!
    September 24, 2013

    Dr. Peters….were u not involved in the concept and design of this new facility? If you were why didn’t you recommend some solar panels. That’s visionary thinking!!!

  26. Lang Mama
    September 24, 2013

    Not sure if Dasheen, citrus and coconut can pay the bill for DSC nor Petro Caribe.Working people can’t pay their utility bills and parents can’t pay the college bills.

    Something got to give in Dominica and the time is right to kick those pretending Laborites out of the government.

  27. Pedro
    September 24, 2013

    lamentable but true: we often do not factor projected operational recurring cost of completed facilities into budgets until long after they begin to be a pain

  28. Pedro
    September 24, 2013

    Admin, Would be nice to have photos of the new facility.Pleeease?

  29. Real World
    September 24, 2013

    hahaha, wind mill and solar? really? hmmm. It just start. Allu happy for new college anf I agree they deserve it, it is beautiful but why cant government absorb it? why do parents have to go into more debt now? the only way out of the ghetto is through a proper education and if parents cannot affort and the children drop out, that is no hope for the future. I hope allu seeing all the psycology they working on allu ehh. AND dno, where is the article about the citrus coconut and banana batter for oil? I cant wait to see comments. hahaha.

    • Reader
      September 25, 2013

      As far as I can tell parents and students are mainly responsible for covering the costs of college. Even in the US, Uk and Canada. Students leave college with a montain of debts (sometimes forcing them to live with their parents). Typical Dominican mentality … EVERYTHING FOR FREE!! Get into the Real World. smh @ dumbminicans.

  30. THIS MUST BE A DREAM
    September 24, 2013

    we spend 30 millions dollars in a state of art building… you call that state of art when in 2013 you can not even plan a solar pannel on your roof to reduce your electricity bill…
    who did agree on the initial plan??
    who is resposible for this new typical Dominican NON-sense and when it’s going to stop !thank you

  31. Jimi Hendrix
    September 24, 2013

    Greater energy efficiency should have been built into the design of the building. Hot water, solar cells, energy efficient lighting (LED). All these things, if done upfront are cheaper than trying to retrofit later.

  32. September 24, 2013

    The Government should be involved in the cost for educating its citizens.

    • forkit
      September 24, 2013

      only to supporters and family

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