Government to concentrate on Early Childhood Education in 2012

Skerrit

The government of Dominica said its eye will be set on the island’s children in 2012. The year will be declared Universal Access to Early Childhood Education, said Prime Minister Roosevelt Skerrit.

Speaking at a church service in Grandbay on Sunday, the Prime Minister stated that government is willing to sacrifice other planned projects in order to finance the education of every underprivileged child.

“Every single child in this country, irrespective of who you are, will have a space at a pre-school in this country. If it means the government has to set aside a project to finance it, we have to finance it because we owe it to our children and we owe it to the future generation of this country,” Skerrit articulated.

He added, “There are too many children of pre-school age who are not at school, and in some cases, because the parents may not be able to afford it.”

He lamented that parents have to stay home with their children and “cannot go out to look for work.”

The initiative follows the Universal Secondary Education system government introduced here in 2005. It has also said that among its goals is that every Dominican home has a university graduate by 2015.

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38 Comments

  1. Pre what?
    December 19, 2011

    How much money was set aside in this year’s budget for pre-school development? After 11 years of DLP rule, Skerrit is trying hard once again to gain some sympathy for all the controversial acts he has been involved in. Skerritt is on edge, scared that the verdict re. the dual citizenship case will prove him illegitimate. As Minister of Education, what did Skerritt do to improve the situation of pre-schoolers and teachers? Why after numerous concerns from the Dominican public Skerritt and his Govt. still went on with that $27,000,000.00 State Palace and left the pre-schoolers behind? A few making millions from sale of our passports. That is the focus for a few people in authority, how to become rich quickly while in public office, not pre-schoolers.

  2. Pedro
    December 19, 2011

    Give the poeple their economic independence and they will provide for their family.

  3. 1979 MILLION OVRNITE
    December 19, 2011

    He lamented that parents have to stay home with their children and “cannot go out to look for work.”

    aaaa aaaaaYYY YOU COME BACK FROM SPACE???? WELL WELCOME …… NOW YOU SEEING ALL THAT???? SO CLOSE TO ELECTIONS?????? WELLL TOO LITTLE TO LATE U “CHILD OUT OF WEDLOCK”

    • Malatete
      December 19, 2011

      Children going to pre-school so their parents can look for work? What work Sir. Where are the jobs Sir??

  4. Donald Tusk
    December 19, 2011

    My program for educating the youth is hard. Weakness must be hammered away. In my castles of the teutonic order a youth will grow up before which the world will tremble. I want a brutal, domineering, fearless, cruel youth. Youth must be all that, it must bear pain.

  5. cool
    December 19, 2011

    we need to start to a int… airport, SVG start one, let us follow…

  6. tired of talk
    December 19, 2011

    Mr PM, Not only are there children of preschool age out of school but the MOE and Government has made no effort to address children of special needs, the MOE advises all parents to Alfa centre, and although i know that they mean best the institution is not equipped to take care of these kids. There are a bunch of folks with the MOE who needs to be fired. All i can say is talk and more talk….alas!!!!!!

  7. ?????
    December 19, 2011

    Which other planned programme you had which would be of interest to the country? Another State House? This is leadership to the POOREST LEVEL. GREEDY MEN LINING THEIR POCKETS.

  8. Malatete
    December 19, 2011

    We are training them early now in off-shore business: United Arab Emirates childhood education. Good!

  9. ?????????????
    December 19, 2011

    My tuppence.

    My bros and Sis – Does it have to be all about hatred and politics all the time???? At least give an alternative view if you have to but my goodness – are you all not interested in the well being and future of our youngsters????? As long as is the PM or some other that you hurt and you hearts hurting and you all carrying hatred in your hearts, then all those negative comments and all rubbish talking. Time for all of you to grow up and make meaningful contribution and suggestions. Time for that rubbishto stop. Stop and listen before you open your mouth. Stop the hatred and let us love one another. We may not like someones action or behaviour but this does not mean that the same person cannot make a valid point. Drive hatred out of your marrows and cells and also heart.

    Let us pray for one another . God has directed us also to pray for our enemies as well. By the way we all have one common enemy and he is the “Evil One and devourer who came to steal, kill and destroy”. Let us stay focused and stand as one in our fight with our Maker and Creator in the lead. He uses us to hate one another so we can self destruct ourselves. One Love!

    • Anonymous
      December 19, 2011

      It has to be politics all the way. WE ARE TIRED OF BAD GOVERNANCE. YES IT HAS TO BE!

      • 1979 MILLION OVRNITE
        December 19, 2011

        YESSS UNTIL THE GET THE MESSAGE!!!!!!!! WE NOT VIOLENT BUT WE WILL BE HEARD AND NOT IGNORED!!

  10. Lougaoo Mem
    December 19, 2011

    I am one who firmly believes that the day of reckoning is coming. The lies and deceit are all now exposed, and there’s no place to hide. Autocratic leadership style can only last for a while.

  11. Donald Tusk
    December 19, 2011

    Stupes u all cannot even build an international airport, is children u all can raise? Everything Govt do is a failure, that is why they have too beg other countries to do things for them.

  12. Anonymous
    December 19, 2011

    The same way i supported this man in 2009, is the same way i am upset and dissapointed with him now. I am a Dominican first,and a supporter of a political party next.DOMINICA IS A WRONNNNGGGGGGG TRACK! SKERRIT SHOUL GO AND THE SOONER THE BETTER!

  13. Grand Bay Girl
    December 19, 2011

    I am reading these blogs and i am shaking my
    head in dismay.What is wrong with what he said? Would that not be a good thing for the
    children to have an education at an early age
    As a Dominican i am shocked about the negative comments.I wonder if he had said that early childhood was not important what
    would be the reaction. Just wondering!
    Peace to all

  14. Anonymous
    December 19, 2011

    all you doh worry with mister – out he going so!!! his days are numbered

    and by the way sir, 2012 is the year of co-operatives as well; two focuses in the same year?

  15. Anonymous
    December 19, 2011

    He should be invited to deliver a speech/talk on HONESTY AND INTEGRITY. We are in trouble in this country.

  16. Roots
    December 19, 2011

    Politics at a Church Service??

    • 1979 MILLION OVRNITE
      December 19, 2011

      my brother that is how the man operates, didn’t u hear the little favour he did for the seventh day adventists????? WELCOME INTO THE LIGHT!!!

  17. 1979 MILLION OVRNITE
    December 19, 2011

    OHHH HOOO now you want to put other projects on hold?????? well while u at it PLEASE LOOK AT OUR HOSPITAL, WE THOUGHT HEALTH WAS ONE OF UR PRIORITIES. please turn the hospital into one where you would go if YOU!!! was sick. because we all know if u catch a cold you will fly to martinique before you go to PMH.

    • 1979 MILLION OVRNITE
      December 19, 2011

      WE VOTING YOU OUTTTTTTTTTTTT!!!!!!!!! YOU DO ENOUGH…..THANK YOU FOR ALLLLL WHAT YOU HAVE DONE, AND STTILLL THANK YOU FOR ALLLLL WHAT U “DIDN’T” DO!!

      • Anonymous
        December 19, 2011

        Talk for yourself!!!
        Who we? :(

      • ,,,,,,,,,,
        December 19, 2011

        @Anonymous People must talk on behalf of stupid people like you. You surely cannot talk for yourself.

    • eee
      December 19, 2011

      Tricks he has..That’s why we must vote him out.Too much RUBBISH IN DOMINICA.WE are tired of POOr leadership. Everything is political cause we are tired. VOTE HIM OUT!

      • dominican gal
        December 19, 2011

        U should come from London and vote him out
        we will stay right here and make sure he is voted in lol

      • ?????????????
        December 19, 2011

        Can you all be positive sometimes??? So what you really not interested in the tots and pre school agers??????????

    • ?????????????
      December 19, 2011

      So can you be not thankful sometimes??? Does it have to be politics all the time?? Can you all be positive for once andsometimes??? Can you close your eyes for once and look at the message and lets forget the messenger???? So what you really not interested in the tots and pre school agers??????????

  18. Possible
    December 19, 2011

    I that is far fetch and wishful thinking. China is 22 hours away and Hawaii is much closer to china.

  19. ....................
    December 19, 2011

    Very Good and we need to teach the pre schoolers from this tender age to be Honest boys and girls,so that when they grow older and they acquire leadership positions they will not deviate from what was taught.

  20. Possible
    December 19, 2011

    This where you belong skertit. You are not qualified by any means to be controlling 3 ministerial portfolios.the idea of one man as prime minister,minister of finance and still responsible for foreign affairs and overseerimg national security operation – that is highly questionable and suspicious. In a working democracy the office of pm should be free of conflicting interest.

    • Anonymous
      December 19, 2011

      That’s what dictators do.

      • ?????????????
        December 19, 2011

        To Possible and Anonymous So can you be not thankful sometimes??? Does it have to be politics all the time?? Can you all be positive for once andsometimes??? Can you close your eyes for once and look at the message and lets forget the messenger???? So what you really not interested in the tots and pre school agers??????????

  21. Met Yo
    December 19, 2011

    Alas…the boy trying hard for some good news to go out there. My brother you cya run away from it. You soon fall!

    • ?????????????
      December 19, 2011

      So thats all you can say??????????So what you really not interested in the tots and pre school agers??????????

  22. Eyes wide Shut
    December 19, 2011

    Dear Mr.Prime Minister,

    What do you mean that the Gov’t will have to set aside projects to finance the Pre-school education system? Please explain.

    Mr. Prime Minister, Were you not aware that 2012 would come directly after 2011?
    If so why was this innitiative not planned and also budgeted for?

    Which projects do you have in mind to cut?
    Could it possibly be that you are thinking of spending less money on the State Palace?

    Who has funded these project(s)’ that you are so sure you have to cut to and will it be ok with them if you move/shift/transfer those funds to this brand new idea of early childhood education .

    GET SERIOUS!!!!!!!!!!!!!
    STOP WITH THE GAMES AND STOP playing petty politics with your people’s lives.
    8-O 8-O 8-O

    • .
      December 19, 2011

      He has nothing in mind.Useless/Nonsensical talk as usual.

      • ?????????????
        December 19, 2011

        So what you really not interested in the tots and pre school agers??????????

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