Gov’t pays all outstanding student fees at DSC

A representative from the DSC received the check for PM Skerrit

The government on Wednesday presented a check to the Dominica State College (DSC) to settle all outstanding fees by students.

Prime Minister, Roosevelt Skerrit, presented the check of over one million dollars to the institution during a ceremony at Stock Farm.

“The government took a decision to write off and pay off the outstanding fees of everyone in the country who owes the college, irrespective of who the person is,” he stated.

He said the presentation is important in the wake of Hurricane Maria when many people in Dominica lost everything.

“But we cannot stop education,” he stated. “We cannot close the college, we cannot close the school. These things are too important in a society to close it. And this is why one of the firm commitments this government gives to the citizens of Dominica is that no matter how difficult things are with the government where money is concerned, no matter how many demands are at the feet of the government especially after Maria we are not going to cut one dollar from education…”

The Prime Minister pointed out that keeping students in school “is critically important.”

“We have always maintained that in order for us to build a prosperous country, we must have a skilled workforce,” he said. “And it does not mean academic pursuits; it means a skill of any kind because we need all kinds of skills at the service of the country to build this country and to make this country a prosperous nation.”

He said changes will be made to ensure that students sit exams in spite of outstanding fees.

“Once a child is in school, you must not deny that child from sitting an exam,” he stated. “What universities and colleges do is that they will hold from you your transcripts until you pay but they must make you sit the exam. So this is really my real beef with the college.”

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57 Comments

  1. hello
    July 4, 2018

    why DSC students have to pay 800+ for summmer classes for 1 month

  2. didi
    June 18, 2018

    well i glad he pay it … tbh dominica just backwards and so are the people …. catch me on the floating voters list! But my school fee paid .

  3. lHELP
    June 12, 2018

    I dont know what PM pay when students are told to pay 525 dollars for one month of class come June 22 to July 22 to make up lost classes due to maria and still 500 plus come september. Is the DSC a money making institution???

  4. johnnie Boy
    June 8, 2018

    Well, Well , Well look showdown first time i see a Government paying an institution monies owed to them and that is a big news item. THAT IS SUPPOSE TO BE A GOOD DEED LMAO

  5. jin
    June 8, 2018

    trying to buy young people, you dont care about young ppl.

  6. NKRUMAH KWAME
    June 8, 2018

    What I would like to ask is why did the government let this bill grow to such an extent? Why do we have to be later at everything? Nontheless, the college has gotten some monies which it badly needed. On another note where is the Minister of Education and Human Resource Development? Should it not be him giving the finances?

    HOTEP!

    • Flora
      June 10, 2018

      Some of us like to act like the pm is our father. He not suppose to be paying tuition but he did.try to help allu selves and he will meet allu halfway. Allu doesn’t satisfy and say “thank god” . Allu too like to sit down allu *** and impose on people

  7. from
    June 8, 2018

    i would be crying dependency dependency on a normal day. education and medical handouts have no issue with me cause i think they shouldve been mostly free. but for everyting else. dependency stinks down there boy.

    i am happy that these students dont have to worry about fees. i feel so happy for them cause ive been there before.

  8. Showman
    June 7, 2018

    Skerritt has deliberately used the $$$$$$$$, at every moment possible to gain sympathy for his inept, incompetent Gov’t.

    Millions of $$$$$ to Village Councils, without first ensuring that projects and their costs must be done and presented accordingly. The Local Gov’t Dept has been totally cast aside in those times. Wait for news of embezzlement of $$$$$, because mechanisms are not in place for proper reporting and monitoring of those monies.

    It is Skerritt and his DLP Gov’t who owes DSC, because Gov’t had promised to assist financially and that is their duty.

    Dominicans should dismiss those trickery, showmanship. Somebody breaks your good leg, gives you a FALSE leg,long after and you shout Hooray, you clap and tells me that person cares about you?? But you forget who broke your good leg?

    Skerritt and his showmanship with money belonging to the STATE and the citizens of the State continues.

    Parents cannot pay their students school fees, things bad under…

  9. kemuel baron
    June 7, 2018

    God job your pmship , i greatly admire your work in this country. One question thought… the quote said “child “…… we are not all children . does the college and the government consider students to be children ?

  10. Jessie
    June 7, 2018

    Wow, Do you think that’s a good thing they did, what if next term comes and NO child pays their tuition, what the government going to pay it again and again, Dont get me wrong, nothing is wrong when the government tries to help, but paying it in full???. what message are you sending to the parents and kids. Maybe try paying half and the parents pay the other half, Help them, but by paying it in full it gives out the message I can send my child to school, my kids can give the teachers bad talk and the government will pay for all their fees. Let them stand on their own. my Two cents

  11. Iamanidiot
    June 7, 2018

    That is crap, first of all there are people who can pay but dont. ”
    Second of all that statement “What universities and colleges do is that they will hold from you your transcripts until you pay but they must make you sit the exam. So this is really my real beef with the college.” That is false, and you’re a doctor that graduated from school you must know what.

    But let me tell you what they do, What universities and colleges do is, you cant register for the new semester, not hold your transcript. Isn’t a transcript that thing you pay for when you’re done or want to transfer? I Swear the PM does just say anything….and is gospel.
    What of UWI and Moonroe and all the other schools that not letting children register? run bring a check for them too

  12. Trying to help
    June 7, 2018

    So,what a well organised government should be the norm,paying its obligations,has to be a showtime photo call.THE PM himself said money no object.
    We really need to remove this sham of a PM from office,S.M.H..

  13. Roger
    June 7, 2018

    All students who had an outstanding bill with the college should now go to the College administration and get a signed document stating that his/her bill is PAID IN FULL”. You never know when this might come back to bite you.

  14. TSENI
    June 7, 2018

    One need to ask ” Why are so many Dominicans owing the college?’ .

    clear indication that people are not working

    Signs of economic failure!!!!

    And we clapped!!!!!!!!!!!

    • weekendz
      June 7, 2018

      No, a sign of the give me a fish mentality which the PM is encouraging. people get insurance money and leave their house without roof waiting on the PM to give them money and materials while they ordering car. Since Maria the Carboat never stop coming. We crying broke but car boat in port every month bringing cars banned from the road in other countries. Don’t blame the government and PM for the sick mentality. They are benefiting and encouraging it but our SICK, LAZY people are the ones breeding it. LEt any other government come and stop it and you will see protest and revolt. The only way Skerrit moving is when this mentality is abandoned.

  15. Student
    June 7, 2018

    What is this, a joke? A ceremony to pay outstanding fees??? No…serious!

  16. Dominica, I love you.
    June 7, 2018

    So the PM is not perfect. He is human like all of us. If he does something that benefits a portion of our population, give him some credit for doing good. We have to learn to ‘give jack his jacket’ and commend people for good work.
    What will it take for our people to come together for the good our little island. Division will get us no where any time soon – United we stand, divided we fall!!.
    Please, please, please Dominicans, try to avoid the negative comments. Let us support each other with words of encouragement.
    I am very pleased by this news. The students and their families must also be very relieved that the no longer have to pay back this debt. Good move Mr. Skerrit!!!!

    • Neville
      June 8, 2018

      I’m all for supporting each other but I refuse to support the dictator and his cabal. Don’t you see it, he is just buying votes.

  17. Ah Chen!
    June 7, 2018

    And she’s well dressed in the appropriate color eh! I tell you what! Create sustainable employment so people could pay their way to college MR. PM.

  18. Looking
    June 7, 2018

    You Mr Pm is so concerned about education and in some secondary schools, months after Maria, the students and teachers operate under such deplorable conditions (no running water, no electricity, damaged roofs etc) it has become and continues to be a health hazard where in some cases the teachers have walked out of school. ……by the way this is coming from someone who has been labeled a labourite.

  19. Zandoli
    June 7, 2018

    One does not need a photo-op to pay his bills. Furthermore the payment of school fees should be means based. If a student is unable to pay, give them the assistance they need. Other students who can afford to pay should be required to foot the bill.

  20. Neville
    June 7, 2018

    What a despicable human being….

  21. Tired
    June 6, 2018

    Constantly my prime ministers slyness embarasses me. But I remain amazed by the persons who support this wicked party.

  22. Sisserou
    June 6, 2018

    That’s the equivalent of me walking into flow and hosting a ceremony because I paid my bills in arrears. Skerrit soon done, in Jesus name.

  23. June 6, 2018

    Wow this is good news

  24. TORKSPEC
    June 6, 2018

    All this showboating is not NECESSARY #votegetting Ceremony and Poor management of the state funds

  25. John Jay
    June 6, 2018

    Dr SKerrit you can’t FOOL the student all the time pay the schooling which you owed and vote you out.

  26. Shaka Zulu
    June 6, 2018

    LMAO… Skerrit to the rescue. PM and state college dean besties. You guys not seeing campaign mode start. Skerrit is minister of education also. I wpuld not be suprised all this shout about taking state college to court was just part of the script. LMAO. Now the saviour has delivered and have photo ups and fanfare. Same ole plot year after year but it works on those idiots so why change. Dominica need mental physical and spiritual deliverance.

  27. badbaje
    June 6, 2018

    Two very important things I believe every government should do their utmost to provide. One is education and skills training for those who want it, young or old, man or woman. The other is care for the elderly and those in need. Health care, (mental and physical) shelter, food, clothing, etc.
    I challenge you, to challenge your minister of education, and those in that ministry to come up with a plan to continue tuition assistance for those in need. Other countries use reported family income to evaluate and assess the amount of assistance individuals qualify for, we can do the same here. Special consideration can be given to those who are unemployed, orphans, etc. We do need some kind of study on how we can sustain this assistance. Some institutions of higher learning even give discounts to families who have more than one person studying at the same time.

  28. June 6, 2018

    Its his refusal the pay the students fees now he turns up and pays and acts like he is dlin justice to tje students. I really do hope the students are learning . You just need to stop fool the people mr skerrit. Just a wicked man. That is totally over doing it now . Look at the one from portsmouth behind him . That is just a big joke. Surely there gonna fools feelin good about this. Oh my god

  29. Man enough
    June 6, 2018

    And Dominicans will vote Labour for doing dat. That’s not no big favour given the amount of assistance this government got or is still getting after Maria. Money for so. Yet Tapolins all over the place. Don’t think that poor people stand a chance in this collapsed country. Am sure all them big shots n rich Labour supporters got big money from insurance n so forth. Their houses must be order now. Yet the folks who vote Skerritt day in and say out have tapolin. They don’t have lights n stuff. Honestly, speaking this government must go. Is Skerritt them who have the country so. Longtime hurricane Labour had struck.. Before hurricane Maria. Yet these laid back, dependant and soft Dominicans won’t open their eyes at all. That whole paying of fees n other election tricks only working in Dominica. All ministers sleeping fine, alll big shots sleeping fine, but poor Dominicans sucking salt yet voting Labour. 20 years of failure. Red clinic style.. Don’t blame Maria, Dominica was destroyed…

    • ?????????
      June 6, 2018

      What is your problem??? We talking about school fees paid and you come talking about all kinds of things. How can u so be pleased??? So paying all fees outstanding not affecting “poor sucking salt” Dominicans??? What is your contribution besides “complaining of everything?? Your eyes are open and yet you have not done anything so you can use it for the party you support. Time to stop complaining and come better than that. You are a citizen so start working and stop complaining. Learn to be grateful to God first and then for other things small as they may be. So if the government has paid all outstanding school fees owed, then maybe some family or child(ren) of yours or family may have benefited. So be “Man enough” and say that good and be grateful, be happy for those who benefited. Adios seignor ou Seignorita. L’amour… one love … no hate.

      • Neville
        June 8, 2018

        And what exactly is your contribution apart from boring us on a constant basis with your propaganda? Nothing, absolutely nothing. Infact exactly the opposite: receiving presents from your master for being a loyal supporter. You make me sick!

    • UDOHREADYET
      June 6, 2018

      wow… jealousy and hate is real in you!

    • catherine
      June 7, 2018

      MAN ENOUGH
      It is safe to say at this point that no matter what this administration do you will find fault. Even if every single house has a roof or all is going well you will find something else to say.
      You people are the most basic, bias, uneducated, misinformed, ungrateful and petty individuals I believe exist on the face of this entire Earth.
      Putting politics aside if the prime mister did a good deed just say what it is. Yes there are tapoline on roofs but if Dominicans stop this attitude of always looking for a hand out and they depend on themselves to provide for themselves then maybe people will start working together and cover their roofs.
      I remember Hurricane David no one cover our roofs. Dominicans have this hand out attitude and believe just because they voted for a government then the government is indebted to then
      Dominicans need to take up this attitude {Ask not what your country can do for but what you can do for your country)
      You guys behave like real low…

  30. Man bites dogs
    June 6, 2018

    LINTON, Where are you well i hope you’re watching and learning, how to be a real statesman and
    a peoples prime minister well done sir you are blessed with life, despite all the crap coming from Linton and his supporters ha ha ha said the clown.

    • Integrity
      June 6, 2018

      The only clown i see is you to be fooled by that crap of vote catching!

    • Tired
      June 6, 2018

      Stupes! More than half of those fees was owed to the DSC by the government of Dominica and their promise to send everyone college. Dominicans open y’alls eyes and stop make skerrit fool you all with money he’s getting on our behalf from other countries! Labour must go!!!

    • Struss
      June 6, 2018

      Statemanship? The question you should ask is where is that money coming from? Was it included in the budget just passed knowing that these debts were existence before budget? Or will it be included in the supplementary budget a year from now? And if the latter is the case is that an indication of poor planning? Or deliberate misguiding

    • My Take
      June 7, 2018

      This, ladies and gentlemen, is the common labour supporter. God, you people are thick.

    • Roger
      June 7, 2018

      Have you not heard the story of the boy who bit his mothers ears? Do you know hwy he did that? Hope you will not have to bite her head off when there is nothing left of her ears to bite.

  31. Sams
    June 6, 2018

    What u want pm a Merritt or you trying to fool Dominicans really more vote you looking for go fix the port and the roads what else with your foolishness all I’m seeing you doing is making you look like you begging for your supper

    • ?????????
      June 6, 2018

      So Sams you are not concerned about the young ones who go to school??

  32. Franky
    June 6, 2018

    But wait ner but skerite u the one that failed to pay all the years and had the ballance acumulate to that amount…now u running paying it off like as if is such a good move u making .. man all u fellas will do anything them days to get political points. U failed to pay and almost had those people fail there exams just for u to run come playing saviour. ..so u mean to tell me u playing with the young people and there education bossman.. just for u to gain political point..

    • moitruth
      June 6, 2018

      are you for real?

      He threatened to sue the dean, now he paying up !!! shut the heck here!!

    • Tired
      June 6, 2018

      Thank you!!! My thoughts exactly

    • ?????????
      June 6, 2018

      Frank really??? Skerite have to do everything … give toilet …. buy toilet paper and employ someone to wipe for the one whom he gave the toilet. Some thing wong with you Franky people. What are you saying?? Who has to pay for the students? Perhaps you need to reread the news item over and over and over. You have something wrong in your comment. Ask someone to explain to you.

  33. Ibo France
    June 6, 2018

    I’m one who firmly believes that a student should not be denied an opportunity to take exams after attending classes for an entire academic year because of financial constrains. I don’t believe in paying the school fees for everybody. It should have been done only for those students whose parents found themselves in dire financial straits. Many parents and young adults are financially embarrassed because the economy is not producing any good paying jobs. With all the millions of dollars the country received and is still receiving in donations, the economy should have been overheating by now. With large chunks of this money invested in building proper roads, bridges, houses, repairing and rebuilding public properties, properly injected in agriculture , the economy should be overly active. Where leadership is wanting, everything else is wanting.

    • June 6, 2018

      “It should have been done only for those students whose parents found themselves in dire financial straits.”

      I agree with your principle, but the amount of auditing to determine that would be so intrusive, difficult, and time-consuming that once it was decided there was going to be a bailout, Skerrit was probably right to do what he did so that DSC and its students can just move forward now.

  34. Sandra Thoams
    June 6, 2018

    It is good news for the students of State College and their parents as well. But it would be very interesting to find out from #Ministry of Education and Human Resource Development (Dominica)# the performance of the candidates who sat the 2017 A Level Cambridge Exams. Nothing was said about the pass rates compared to previous years or even to outline the top performers. We heard about GSAT, CSEC, passively about CAPE but nothing about A Levels. The media houses need to follow up with the Ministry of Education/Registrar’s Office to get the information out.

    • Neville
      June 7, 2018

      The media houses? They are all under Skerrits control (including DNO, who appear to have had their wings clipped by the dictator) That is part of the problem in Dominica. I is really sad to see where this country is heading…

  35. LifeandDeath
    June 6, 2018

    Talk about sleight of hand and Skerrit cannot be exempted. If the Gov’t is supposed to give the College a subvention, why has this turn into a ceremony of the good graces of Government?..SMH!!!..Dominicans stop being blinded by this nonsense. It’s all your taxes that Skerrit has grooming his ego in public…WTH!!!
    Has he gone to DOWASCO or PWC to make a ceremony when governments subsidizes them?? That’s because the College has way more eligible voters which he hopes to snare…Dominicans are being taken advantage of with their own Money!! What a disgrace..btw, notice Donald Peters did not come to accept the cheque..lol..

    • ?????????
      June 6, 2018

      Subvention or not. This is to be used to clear the outstanding balances of the owing students. This is not a subsidy since it not the School itself benefiting. It is the student who are benefiting because Students and parents are expected to pay their school fees. Man you all not should not twist stories just because you do not like the PM for absolutely no reason. Yes I said no reason. Anything he does, you guys find a way to twist the message. but as I always say, some day it will be one of your relative(s) and I would really like to see you act when person(s) behave towards them as you behave towards the duly elected PM and the government. What goes around comes around. Golden rule .. Do unto others as you would like them to do unto you. This I leave with all the naysayers. Love Love Love . Ba yo Love!

  36. required
    June 6, 2018

    Buy a VOTE to stay AFLOAT……wicked man

    • UDOHREADYET
      June 6, 2018

      what have you done for anyone lately besides criticize the people who are actually doing positive things?

  37. wow
    June 6, 2018

    SKERRO IS THE MAN

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