EDITOR’S NOTE: Below is a statement from Education Minister, Petter Saint Jean.
The Ministry of Education and Human Resource Development has made continuous progress in preparing schools, affected by Tropical Storm Erika, for reopening.
While some schools remain closed due to damage sustained and lack of water, I am pleased to announce that the following schools will reopen on Monday, September 21, 2015.
1. Jones Beaupierre Primary School
2. Woodfordhill Primary School
3. Calibishie Primary School
4. North East Comprehensive School
5. Campbell Primary School
6. Pichelin Primary School
7. Salisbury Primary School.
The following schools will remain closed until further notice
1. Coulibistrie Primary School
2. Convent Preparatory
3. Massacre Primary School
4. Roseau Primary School
5. Colihaut Primary School
6. Dublanc Primary School
7. Wesley Primary School
8. Petite Savanne Primary School
9. Berean Christian Academy
All Students from Petite Savanne attending the Pierre Charles Secondary School are informed that a bus system is in place and transportation will be provided. Students should be at the Petite Savanne Bus stop in Roseau at 6: 45 a.m. for pick up.
The reopening of school for 1st to 3rd formers of the Dominica Grammar School has been further deferred as the school continues to serve as a shelter.
I take this opportunity to encourage members of the public be tolerant and courteous to our residents at the various centers since they have suffered tremendous personal loss, and will require the support of the general public.
We encourage parents of students who have to remain at home in the interim, to make use of the textbooks and other school materials already purchased, to work with their children within the home setting.
I wish to commend the effort of the staff of the Ministry of Education and in particular principals and teachers at our schools for their hard work and dedication during this challenging time. However, it is incumbent on all to continue in that same spirit in the rebuilding process of our beloved country.
The Ministry of Education will continue to work with DOWASCO and other partners to return all our schools to normalcy within the shortest possible time.
Yet again when there is a minor setback you all go on pointing on each other.If there is a broken pipe in my home I don’t leave my home because there is no water,I find alternative means,365 rivers pending repairs.Just go on neglecting home training and manners.don’t make things happen sit there and it will come to you I can assure you the waiting is a long stayl
WITH DUE respect we can say the children had a long and extended holiday,therefore,Christmas break should be narrowed. If a building is vacant why rush to mend them? but, if the children are at school they will be treated as emergency
It is with outmost respect I give kudos to the PM and his cabinet in trying to rebuild our nation. Mr. PM you are not perfect and so am I, and your haters too. You have led your country with wisdom and humility.
I think its good that the ministry is working towards getting a number of schools started. However in the case of the Dominica Grammar School I think that a shift system can possibly help the 1 to 3 forms get back to work. This is food for thought.Have the 1 to 3 form in the morning and the 4 to 5 in the afternoon or at least try to accommodate the 3 former’s who have the csec exams.??
Mr. Educational Officer the Schools which you are planning to open were on the previous list of ‘Schools closed’ because there was no running water! To date one of the School on your ‘To Open list’ still has no water. How do you propose moving forward with this decision?
Shouldn’t you be Consulting with the Minister of Health as to how best you can further reduce another Outbreak? Not Escalating the situation! Do things right the first time and avoid a Catastrophe!
We are trying to ‘dig our way out’ of one Disaster! We certainly can’t deal with any additional Crisis on our hands. PMH simply cannot cope with an Epidemic!!!!!
Those who are some (also) years older will say, never have they seen such a disaster in Dominica. Never have they seen such raging waters and landslides.
I recall those days and when attending school, aside from school and special holidays, the only time we stayed away from school was if there was a threat of a storm/ hurricane. The following day, we returned to school.
As a child, Dominica once got the eye of a hurricane. Trees fell and probably some roads were blocked but they were nothing like this when tropical storm Erika hit Dominica.
Let me further share a few words I heard on the Catholic News – EWTN- TV and EWTN Global Catholic Radio:
In 1990, either a bishop or priest was murdered – martyred in Africa for saying that, “wiitchcraft caused many storms in his country.” Some people do not want to hear the truth.
He must have been holy. He was beatified on Sunday in Africa.
Some years from now the Pope will canonize him. He is already a saint in Heaven.
Hello and good evening my people. I would like to know what College Degree or Degrees Mr Saint Jean hold to qualify him to be Minister of Education.
you not serious?
To: Jim P Well.
Hello and good evening my people. Well am very serious because I don’t know what’s his educational background. He represents the village where my mother is from but I don’t know anything about his qualifications to head such Ministry. I have two Bachelor Degrees but that don’t qualify me to be Education Minister in Dominica. So please educate me as two his educational background. Thanks.
PM simply pulled the Rabbit out of the HAT! ABRACADRABRA !
“Passing cloud” get your facts straight above the call for a state of emergency and what it entails; on another note your ignorance would not be expressed on DNO if the country was indeed in a state of emergency.
some people don’t understand is not the govt that calling the short to open school is the EPA the facts right
Are you people that clueless. Even worse if it’s the Education Department making these Reckless decisions. No running WATER MEANS an outbreak waiting to happen!
Why is that the ministry does not mention the Bense Primary School when the fact of the matter is that the river has diverted its course and there is very little to no water. Residents continue to go the Hampstead River to do their laundry and in neighbouring villages for drinking water. Our students have to go to school which has no water. Aren’t we concerned about the health of innocent ones? We are calling on those persons in authority to hear our plight, find out from those on the ground and do something.
One thing we can criticize the minister of education for giving ‘not to sure’ information but we cannot say he not trying to show people that he is in charge of his ministry and not Skerro, as is the case with other ministers.
On another note on Dec. 13, 2014 wasn’t Reginald Austrie sworn in as minister for housing, lands and water resource management? I say so because to nothing in Dominica was destroyed more than Houses, water, and lands and I have never, ever heard anything from Mr. Austrie. Is he ok? Is he out of state? If so, has the government informed the nation of the where about of Mr. Austrie and why he has remained muted?
Can someone please tell me what they know? I’m waiting to hear from you all since I don’t reside on island
Keep waiting nosy. You are waiting, not because you care. You just want to further your negativity and criticisms.
Remember what Jim Jones did to his followers. Do you still want to be regarded as Jim Jones?
With so many schools affected by Erica, and 21 days later some are still yet to open their doors to our children, dont even talk about the infrastructural damage as well as loss of so many lives all over the country, I really cannot understand why the Hon. Prime Minister refused to declare a state of Emergency so the Americans and other foreign nations could step in and help us out. That to me is very baffling to say the list. That to me is like when somebody’s house is dirty and they no it’s very dirty, and will do everything to keep strangers out even if they dying.
DNO I am not saying our house is dirty because I know it’s not! I know we are sparkling clean and have nothing to hide ok The Real Facts and others
The reason for declaring a state of emergency is long gone. Where are your brains? I guess they are in the passing cloud.
Passing Cloud, where ignorance is bliss tis folly to be wise. Isn’t Dominica receiving help from America and numerous other foreign nations? Do you really think that a state of emergency will be the catalyst to make America and other foreign nations to step in and help us? Boss refusing to make your state of emergency shows a level of respect, maturity and understanding of the situation by the PM. The PM is not a dictator because if he was, a state of emergency may give PM the power and excuse to change the usual function of the executive, legislature and judiciary. You will have to change your behaviour because a state of emergency may deny you of your rights and freedom and give PM the power to arrest you and jail you for your stupid comments. You will have to be very careful that you are not a threat to national security. Do not confuse Erika with David, and Mammo , USA and Communism with PM USA and ALBA. A state of emergency would render the opposition useless.
while i understand we cannot have the kids at school without running water, i think the ministry need to put something in place for the children in grade 6. National assessment is just a few months away and we have the kids now 3 weeks out of school. Can an area be used temporarily or atleast send them to nearby schools so they can learn something? jezzzzzzz
Grade Six where? So all the schools mentioned don”t have a grade sis?
We shall rise again the ministry doesnt have to decide everything.Common sense should tell the teachers they need to have classes for grade 6 students.And there are a number of schools having extra classes for grade 6.
we shall rise again. other schools do not have space. Just be patient.