New registration rules for La Plaine secondary school students

Minister of Education, Petter Saint Jean
Minister of Education, Petter Saint Jean

Parents from the La Plaine area whose children will be entering secondary school in the new academic year must now register them at the Castle Bruce Secondary School only.

Traditionally, the majority of La Plaine secondary school students attend classes in Roseau but Education Minister, Petter Saint Jean, said the change in policy was made in their best interest.

“This year we have made one change in our policy regarding the catchment areas as of the 2013-14 academic school year,” he said at a press conference on Monday. “Commencing in September, students from the La Plaine area will be listed in the Castle Bruce catchment and not the Roseau catchment.”

He noted that the ministry of education has been closely examining student’s performance on a national basis and it was noticed that the performance of students from La Plaine is lacking .

“We have been looking at the performance of the students in the various catchments at secondary schools,” he stated. “And we’ve noticed that there appears to be a lack of performance of the students from the La Plaine area.”

He said it appears that these students are under performing as compared to students from other catchment areas “and we have pinned down specific reasons for that and consequently we have taken a conscious decision to move those students into the Castle Bruce area.”

Saint Jean noted that the travel distance has an effect on the level of alertness of students and this in turn greatly affects their performance.

“We are confident that this is the best decision for all concerned,” he said.

The education minister also stated that parents should be reminded that the decision to send their children to secondary school should be made in the best interest of the students. “If a child is not ready for secondary school they should consider leaving them for another year in primary school,” he said.

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166 Comments

  1. July 6, 2013

    I have child attending the Wesley high school and I would very much like her to attend the castle Bruce secondary school she will be moving to the second form and she wants to join the cadets corp I really wish some body reading this would give me an idea if this is possible especially if you are a principle or teacher of castle high. :-|

  2. July 6, 2013

    I have a student in Wesley high moving to second form and I would very much like to send her to castle Bruce secondary q

  3. July 6, 2013

    I love the idea of castle Bruce high for LaPlaine students because as a parent and wanting to attend school meeting secondary schools at Roseau do not accommodate parents in the country sides when it come for the time. And castle Bruce is much closer in other for we the parents to attend meetings and other school meetings and also a better environment for or kids.

  4. country man in state
    July 1, 2013

    I can see the mr. point but instead of just saying all kids of laplaine registering in cbss,he should develop a way to move all under performing kids from town to cbss. so with kids knowing that they might perform or they might fail. honesty going to school in town is a great filling and great pride at first. i went to school in town and in my time there were under performers, repeater and those who did not graduate at all. i graduated 14 ago, so i still can remember going school in town. i think the primary school needs to be examine, some parents are not doing there job. kids making kids and parenting for them is very difficult for them. the greatest problem i see is going with our young people is the technology is taking over the mind,body and they make it consumer their time.

  5. June 26, 2013

    Jones Beaupierre Primary actually got less Es than previous years, for that we are grateful. No scholarships but we can still congratulate the students who did well. Congratulations to Rrionder Spence and Delani Thomas. Go on to Castle Bruce Secondary School and make La Plaine proud. :-D
    ALL THE BEST. GOD’S BLESSINGS!!!!

  6. June 26, 2013

    I think it is really not fair to put all parents in one basket to say we do not care about our children. I am La Plaine, went to secondary school in town and did exceptionally well. I went on to Clifton Dupigny Community College and did well.I did all this travelling from La Plaine to Roseau DAILY and did well. I even went on to doing a degree abroad. Let’s get real. Before was much more difficult than now. There have always been negative influences but it was our decisions to choose good or bad. It was the same distance- from Roseau to La Plaine seemed even further then because the road was not that good and we had less buses than now. I am not against going to CBSC but why tell the parents and students just before the results were out? Yes i agree some children do not perform to their best ability but what about those who excel? There are those who do better than their Roseau counterparts. Distance is not the problem. The daughter of the minister did very well at DGS. Honestly, the problem begins at the pre k at the school and carries on to grade 6. Those of us who are from La Plaine were not too pleased with the results. That class was one of the most promising scholars of the school but something went wrong somewhere. There were at least 5 scholars and bursaries. Check what’s going on at the Jones Beaupierre Primary. Check how some of the teachers are under performing compared to their counterparts. Because some parents do care and assist their children while some dont deserve being called parents. Congratulations to the kids who performed well at the exams under these stressful conditions. Thanks Hon. Saint Jean we do understand that you are trying to save La Plaine by removing the idle ones from the streets of Roseau.

  7. pormeat
    June 26, 2013

    Well papa, Atkinson parents praying and fasting to get a space at Castle Bruce. Ministry put us on hold because the waiting for Laplaine. if Laplain people do not want to come to Castle Bruce, No big deal give us from Atkinson the space. Trust me Miss Alfred and her team of teachers will have much less work to do with our children based on the results. When Laplaine children come Castle bruce is back to Remedial, but believe me if their parents put their effort this school will bring their children up. laplaine please do not come so that Atkinson can get the space. i beg you you do not come , go where you choose we choose castle bruce 100 times over North East .. trust me.

  8. Castle Bruce
    June 26, 2013

    I am so sorry to hear all that. Oh My Castle Bruce Secondary is doing so well. We were in the news for all the good reasons until this decision was taken. These teachers and the principal are doing do much, the place clean and safe. no fighting, no gang Nothing so. I wish laplaine people would stop dragging us down at their level. Deal with your Parl rep, but please leave us out. Thank you

    • dsc student
      June 26, 2013

      Person hld ur mothers….. wat u tryin n say dre

    • June 27, 2013

      what nonsense you people talking about. we la plaine students are not stupid so stop talking about us like we are!!!!!!. we don’t want to go there any way!!!!

  9. Lanie
    June 26, 2013

    This whole issue of going to school in Roseau is more of a prestige thing. I know MANY La Plaine students who went to school in Roseau and excelled, I am one of them :). The fact is, it is not the distance which causes students to underperform, the students nowadays lack direction. We (Some of my friends and I) had to wake up 5:00 in the morning, get home at 6:00pm if we had afternoon classes, sometimes later, and we still managed to get excellent grades and compete with our other students. If you leave school at 1:00, you get home by 3:00-3:30, that is ample time to study and get all your homework done, watch tv, play games, go online and do whatever. I did all of these things. If you have afternoon classes, you know the bus is not leaving before 4:30-5:00 all you have to do is do your homework in town. Stay at the school grounds a little longer, read a few chapters or something. We use to be on the bus stop doing homework and studying. The students nowadays are LAZY, they have no sense of self worth and do not care about excelling. They have this stupid mentality that it is ok to just PASS. And the worst part of it, parents expect their kids to just PASS. I would have gotten HELL if I came home with a 2nd grade (which only happened once while in high school). So once again, this underperformance has nothing to do with distance, La Plaine students have very little direction. THAT is what needs work more than anything else.

    • St. Joe Massive
      June 26, 2013

      I am confident that you will get ahead in life. Well said!

  10. thinking out loud
    June 26, 2013

    Firstly i would like to say that UNIVERSAL EDUCATION the biggest mistake by which ever party came with the idea and which ever government implemented it. wish i could seat with them a@@s and show them reasons y the jsp was good.

    the distance to school is not really an issues, its been going on for years and alot of good came from past students.

    1. the students leave primary school with a low achievement level. Check the common entrance result for this year for laplaine. universal education……a child in grade 6 cannot do grade 4 work but universal education the child have to go secondary school.(let’s say that child was already kept back in grade 6 once or twice)

    2. the students now are not interested in school so they do whatever they want.

    3. their parents don’t care………..

    4. so more can be said……

    nothing is wrong with CBSS but the choice should still be parents own or how it was before UVEd, where after u write common entrance to wrote ur 3 schools u would like to go and mostly ministry or the school accepts u

    • June 26, 2013

      First and foremost I do not agree with you that parents dont care. I am one of those parents and I care. Stop running your mouths. The issues at the school kept the children behind. Imagine changing principal in third term. Mrs Stephenson came too late. Jones Beaupierre Primary will rise again, dont worry.

  11. boni
    June 26, 2013

    O.K lemme get this straight.
    LAPLAINE children must only register at the CBSS.
    Where does the students from DELICE go?
    They continue to go to school in town and its pretty much the same distance?

    I think pointing out LAPLAINE specifically was wrong, he could have better stated his case.
    Students are under-performing not because of the distance, but because of so many additional factors. Parents are really slacking now-a-days, and students don’t even care.
    The under-performance starts at the primary school. When was the last time did they get a SCHOLARSHIP or BURSARY at the school?? They need to place well-trained teachers,perhaps ones with associate’s degrees and/or Teaching certification in those classrooms. And the students themselves need to buck up! They just don’t even try.
    If things were as they were in my days,if they had to see the amount of struggle their parent(s) had to go through to send them to school, they would have no choice but to work hard and make them proud.

    • Me
      June 26, 2013

      These are the same teachers who produced scholarships before. We need to look at the community!

  12. June 26, 2013

    Going to school i Roseau is more about prestige that what’s best for the kids

  13. Krunch Tyme
    June 26, 2013

    Many people are commenting emotionally on this topic without bringing forth any facts to substantiate their position. If you notice well, the minister himself did not clearly state the dynamics of his premise. Basically he chose an arrogant approach simply proclaiming that the Laplainites should go to Castle Bruce, because its better for them. Many fans of Mr. Petter St. Jean are in support of the move, just for the sake of support.

    For starters, the the difference in travel time is only about 15 minutes, and not an hour, as some posters are implying. Furthermore there is more vehicular activity between Roseau and Laplaine versus Laplaine and Castle Bruce. Thus students who stay later or miss the regular bus do have options in the original arrangement.

    It would be interesting to know that if Mr. St. Jean had a child of high school age, would he have taken the same decision? If He was selected by Mr. Skeritt to run at the next elections, would he have taken the same decision?

    Their is no doubt about it, records do indicate that some Laplaine students are under performing. However dumping all the blame on commuting arrangements may a bit insincere. Are there any other underlying social causes? Is it only Laplaine students that manifest these shortcomings?

    The fact that the parents had no part to play in such a demanding decision, speaks volumes of the concern or respect to their views. Without the parents behind you no matter how wonderful or meaningful your decision is, the outcome will never be as wonderful as designed.

  14. dsc student
    June 26, 2013

    Dat is not totally agreeable……I’m frm la plaine….2 years ago I graduated frm dgs and I did well, my sister and cousin who graduated 3 years ago did excellent and I kno many other students frm la plaine dat have excelled in secondary schools in Roseau….if the children are under performin its nt because of any distance it is because they are nt committed to having an education

  15. J
    June 25, 2013

    It is possible that the kids maybe better off in Castle Bruce, I do not know. I only hope the action was not political and that all aspects of the move was considered in the best interest of the students and parents. How will it affect a parent from La, Plaine who wants a parent teacher conference? will that be by phone? I am just asking because it is easier to commute from Roseau to La,Plaine than to CB.
    I live out of D/ca. my daughter is up at 5 am to catch the bus around six and starts school at 7.40 however she has the opportunity to eat breakfast at school. All I am saying is if they have to go to CB life goes on. It doesn’t matter the school, the kids have to be willing to perform but lets put the resources in place to ensure the kids have what it takes to perform to the max despite the school. Reliable transportation, home work assistance when they get back in the village, a parent teacher student liaison who is not political for better effectiveness. What ever the political divide the interest of the students must be first.

  16. Researcher
    June 25, 2013

    With the introduction of the Universal Secondary Education, the Government was suppose to put in place mechanisms/measures to train as many teachers as possible to deal with the children who were unable to keep up with the secondary school programme to bring them up to the level. What has been done to address that nothing.
    The JSP was removed and nothing was done to cushion the effects of it and so we have a number of children going to secondary school and they are not at the level, its obvious they will fall between the cracks.
    Now was there any consultation with the parents prior to this decision. If my child is going to live with his aunt in Roseau, does that apply to him, I drive my own vehicle every day to Roseau because I work in Roseau, and so have decided that my daughter will travel with me everyday. Does that decision apply to me.
    Is that the most underpinning factor for the under performance. What about the nourishment. Our area is also in the high rate of poverty and unemployment rate, don’t you think it has to do with the nourishment? If we are poor it means that our meals may be compromised Mr. Minister. The children may not be eating sufficiently and don’t talk about the diet.
    I pray that this is a good decision and that we will see the benefits in the next five years.
    I always wonder how do the children make it up and down everyday, I personally would not be able to during my school days. My son will be travelling with me so Mr. Minister you may have to revisit your policy.
    Maybe it would be better to use the bus money and pay someone in Roseau to board the child.
    Good Luck to all the kids who will be entering secondary school in September.

  17. rose
    June 25, 2013

    the problem is the country is broke it’s cheaper to send the kids to castlebruce. who the minister think he fooling.

  18. Country Man
    June 25, 2013

    I would like to see the data and the analysis that was done to come up with that solution. This minister and his staff seem way above their heads on the education front.

  19. Laros
    June 25, 2013

    The parents from la plaine that opposing the decision to send the students to CBSS pass in lagoon and see what time they there loitering around when they should be in school. Spend time with your children parents, help with their assignments, homework and take an interest in what they doing. while all you sit down la plaine all you have no idea what they up too. Send the castle bruce self.

  20. truth
    June 25, 2013

    I totally disagree with you Mr. St. Jean. I commuted to Roseau to attend Secondary School and I did extremely WELL! Since the introduction of Universal Education the children no longer have a zeal to work towards going to Secondary school. (Can one blame them) You need to instead reintroduce the JSP program, so the children who are not book smart can learn a skill or agriculture. La Plaine is not the only community with under achievers, take a look at all the other primary schools. Even when you do well at school, country still doesn’t have Jobs. So Mr. St. Jean go back to your drawing board and re access please.

    • St. Joe Massive
      June 26, 2013

      Well said.

    • Anonymous
      June 26, 2013

      It appears every decision made becomes politically influence d,just to let u know the introduction of universal education did infact played a great role in the strive for goal at grade six level,its also appealing to say that we seem to forgot how great Mr .st.jean handled his duties as a teacher and encourage the strive for excellence,was so influential in our live we left home trying to keep up with his fast walking to school etc so talking about drawing I think u are wrong and the blames are to be on parents up and Dow. The streets and ignore the factors of the home especially the kids home work,studies and attendance to school pts etc etc ,I’m a product of laplaine n a true success

  21. Anonymous
    June 25, 2013

    Grandbay closer ……..so if is distance send them Grandbay

  22. John Paul
    June 25, 2013

    This would only be a good idea if the Parents agree to it .Was there any consultation before that decision?
    Also if they ever get the road between La Plaine and Petite Soufriere that should make Castle Bruce alot closer.My sense is that the decision was made for other reasons which the article is not talking about because the Minister probably did not mention them.He seems to be skirting the issue

  23. As I see It
    June 25, 2013

    Good move.

  24. CB Parent
    June 25, 2013

    Castle Bruce Secondary is as good as the other schools in town. The environment is conducive for learning and the teachers trained,they are like parents.The school has excelled in academics and many more areas.Parents can rest assure that their children will not be on the streets of castle Bruce when they are suppose to be in the classes, the students are dropped off in the school yard and are accounted for in each subject class.

    Its okay if the parents of La plain go down to town, my children will get more attention.

  25. I DIE NU
    June 25, 2013

    Yes boy!Some people can oppose senselessly!Everything is a politics.They are not analizing what was said but because of party colour they don’t care.LaPlaine people are brain washed by a man who has done nothing for the community other than prey on others ideas to secure himself and his family.So nothing will look or sound good for laPlaine if is not this Man that implements it.

  26. Yes Fada!
    June 25, 2013

    Hmmm, wow…hot debate here. I’m not sure about the difference in distance from LaPlaine to CastleBruce vs LaPlaine to Roseau. However, my question is: Will exception be granted to students who commute with parents/guardians/relatives who work in town? I notice the news posting said CastleBruce Secondary “only”…isn’t that a bit extreme?

  27. Former teacher
    June 25, 2013

    When
    CBSS started we had many students from LaPlaine. What has changed now? And, CBSS is much better compared to some of those ‘zoos’ in town.

  28. Track lover
    June 25, 2013

    It is very dificult some days imposible to get a ride from CB to roseau after 1.30 pm further more Laplaine when u get a ride from CB you have to wait in the junction which can be dangerous because it is isolated.I travel that route on a weekly basis and whenever the bus leaves student down because of afternoon classes they have a hard time getting to LaPlaine from CB.There are workers from laplaine and surouding who work at CB and have to work from the bus stop to Rosalie.It is not as simple as the Minister thinks .It is easier to get transportation from Roseau to LaPlaine.

    • CB PERSON.
      July 22, 2013

      but whr u living?.. difficult to get ride in cb after 1:30??.. not in this castle bruce on the east of DA.CANNOT BE

  29. Confused
    June 25, 2013

    Wait, but as if the vibes I am getting here is that La Plaine people think that their children are ‘better than’ Castle Bruce Secondary! What ‘bourgeois’ attitude is that? The La Plaine children are clearly under performing…ask any Goodwill Secondary teacher, they will tell you. So, I see no problem sending them to Castle Bruce. They are not above it.

  30. Contented
    June 25, 2013

    Shame on the minister!

  31. neglect
    June 25, 2013

    The Minister of Education is revealing , what honest Dominicans know, that he and his incompetent DLP Govt, has failed the villagers in Laplaine, as well as all the other rural areas. Not only in education, but the very livelihoods, the standards of living of families have gone down too low for comfort.

    After a decade plus in Govt., St. Jean glibly making such excuses that holds no water. Trying a ting?

    Children not being alert could be attributed to so many factors in and out of their environment – nutrition etc.

    Dominicans, What is the distance from Laplaine – Roseau compared to Laplaine – CastleBruce?

    Problems are at the primary level. You are Minister of Education, oui? Parl. Rep for Laplaine, oui? So you think is that foolish excuse that would ensure the children of Laplaine a better education?

    What are the plans for the holistic development of the children, the youth, the adults of the rural areas? performance lacking, agriculture dying/dead, unemployment, poverty and crime rising.

    The best decision, Mr. Minister, comes as a result of discussions/consultation/getting the views of the teachers, school, communities.

    • piti woche
      June 25, 2013

      Let off gas a little less overtly.

      If they are consciously looking at the problem to have taken a step based on observation, and their action does not solve the problem then they will try another. No one has a chrystal ball- not even you.

      A lot of us have hot air that escapes at every possible opportunity fouling up the place.

  32. White Rose
    June 25, 2013

    This is what you all need to know you small minded individuals…… The decision to move these kids to Castle Bruce is a great idea i was born and raised in the La Plaine area and its quite a shame to visit the La Plaine bus stop on school days to see the kinds of activities these kids partake in….. The move to CBSS will definitely decrease this…. Parents now be well assured that there kids are in school as opposed to wonder whether or not they are being truant. As performance wise … A school cant determine whether or not these kids perform its up to the child and theirs parents to assist, reinforce and supervise them at home. So cuddos to you Hon. Petter Saint-Jean for your remarkable decision-making skills as opposed to Mr.Ronald Green who was bamboozled when the school was first built by the Parents in the La Plaine area and NOT allowing the Policy to be Changed. Thanks for having the kids best interest at heart.

    • Aratzio
      June 25, 2013

      what exactly are you trying to say? being schooled in roseau is influencing the activities that these children partake in, and being schooled in castle bruce will definitely change that? …….interesting thoughts

      • Anonymous
        June 25, 2013

        @aratzio are you trying to play dumb?when those students leave school is just not de travel distance but town has so much little places to go and by de time dey reach home is wateva time. but if they are in de country side there is less disturbance after school and more times than none is straight home they will go. i guess de minister dont have to put it word for word to break it down for u.

      • White Rose
        June 25, 2013

        What im saying is that there is less influence in castle bruce than in Roseau, Whilst the rest of you Dominicans are taking something that was meant to have the students best interest at heart and turn it into some political gimmie, the people in the la plaine area have already endorsed the decision and are not making a fuss over it like you all who have nothing to gain or lose by such a decision

    • St. Joe Massive
      June 25, 2013

      wouldn’t a secondary school in Laplaine be a better option?

      • Commuter
        June 25, 2013

        That high school in Castle Bruce was supposed to be in La Plaine under UWP and the then parl rep Ron Green. Ask him what happened?SMDH

    • Laros
      June 25, 2013

      White rose I couldn’t agree with you more, I’m from la Plaine too but you need to pass by the bus stop in the mornings to see what time the children are there. Sometimes way after eight and for those of you who want to dispute what Im saying I will take a pic next time. Great move and I support it 100%

  33. Doc.love
    June 25, 2013

    Almost every Minister of Government has had a press conference relating to their Ministry. As prime Minister why doesn’t Skerrit hold a press conference too.He just came from France,
    dont be surprised, a press conference is not held to apprise Dominicans as regards the geothomal meeting which was held in France.We would like to know wether he received any funds in the red begging bowl.

  34. Morihei Ueshiba
    June 25, 2013

    Saint Jean u still crying :cry: :cry: :cry:

  35. DA Teacher
    June 25, 2013

    Put that in all you pipe and smoke it!!! Labour Power?….lol suck it to them… Then TELL them, No more shopping outside of your village!! No going to church without permission.. No more group meetings without permission… There is more of the NO MORE to come… Enjoy!!!

  36. Disappointed
    June 25, 2013

    DNO I am sure after posting this I will see the contribution that I posted twice this morning

  37. objective
    June 25, 2013

    We need to provide equal opportunities to all students, be it Roseau or CastleBruce.Extra curicular activities must not be a luxury. While it is ok for this policy dicision, the big stick approach must be avoided. Incentives should be provided to students from Laplaine who attend the CBSS.

    • White Rose
      June 25, 2013

      this has already been discussed the minister would never allow the children from la plaine to struggle to have to go to and from school whether is at one or four in the afternoon

  38. June 25, 2013

    the decision have already been made who dnt like it dnt hve a choice bcuz wen we other people who are to attend the cbss dnt want to go school there and we go roseau for space it hadly hve or they saying is cb ur child hve to go school

  39. Lil Blue
    June 25, 2013

    Protest laplaine people

  40. The Onlooker
    June 25, 2013

    It’s a fact most students from the La Plaine area are under performing In Secondary Schools in Roseau. Parents should be the first teachers but, these days some parents get themselves occupied in what’s not concerning them and leave all the work for the teachers. As parents take pride in helping your children. The minister is working in the best interest of your children. CBSS has always been a performing school and it will remain like this in Jesus name. Amen.

  41. read mee
    June 25, 2013

    Thank God Workers build a secondary school in CstleBruce. At least one good from Workers.

  42. La Plaine teen
    June 25, 2013

    Mr.Minister in the first place it was all you idea to send every child to high school(universal education). when you send a child to high school and cannot read,write or spell what do you expect their performance to be like? Yes i agree that every child has a right to education, but their performance is already low in primary school.it is now your duty to put in place some form of program in the primary schools curriculum where children in each school should be paid attention too seriously. people it doesn’t matter the location, they children are just not performing.can u image last week they held at meeting at the la plaine primary school and when they informed the parents that results is monday you all should hear them wi…clapping and muttering. foolish people.and on a real note is for the people not to vote him because he not socializing with the people.Is one set he knows so what else?

    • Anonymous
      June 25, 2013

      Excellent point. The Universal school system is beating them now. What next?

    • Anonymous
      June 26, 2013

      Shame on you laplaine teen,you attend high school and believe working at an office is the only way out wake up universal education was introduced by which previous education minister?laplaine graduation counts began diminishing from 1998 how old were u the. Do the math and stop thinking a vote can bring bread to ur table.

  43. Anonymous
    June 25, 2013

    Fair is fair, a great move to decentralize education….. Indeed the south east needs a secondary school to cater for students from Morne Jaune all the way to Delices. La Plaine makes an excellent location for such. But if a school bus service is not provided for these students, then I suspect that they gonna be spending even more time on the road getting the CB. From La plaine to CB junction is already a headache and tie up IF there is no school bus service, then from CB junction to CB is another huge headache. I myself on numerous occasions have given lifts to many students enroute to CB sec from the CB junction, sometimes like 9:00-9:30-10:00 am. For this move to work an efficient school bus service must be provided from La Plaine all the way to the entrance of the CB secondary school!!!

    • yea
      June 25, 2013

      A bus service IS provided.

    • Anonymous
      June 25, 2013

      southeast does not need secondary school now … our primary schools are under populated …where are you going to get students to fill the class rooms? be real “anonymous”
      example you have some primary schools with 5/6 students writing exams… please…

  44. Secondary School
    June 25, 2013

    Mr. St. Jean no disrespect to you sir. But ain’t you the same person who implimented universal secondary education. Now is if the child not ready for seconday school the parents must make the decision to keep them in primary school. The distance of travel can affect the students capabilty to perform at school especially if they don’t have parental support and properly meals. Mr. St. Jean go back to the drawing broad.

  45. laplaine
    June 25, 2013

    Peter children went to school in Roseau and did well. They traveled the same way from laplaine to Roseau. They were sometimes more fortunate to travel or even drive government vehicle. Some of these children have relatives in town who assist them. Also some parents take the opportunity to allow them to buy their stuff for school so they themselves don’t have to go. This is no a good dicesion. Leave them with an option. The right to choose. It’s part of the United nations declaration on human rights.

  46. Sal
    June 25, 2013

    St.Jean there was strong speculation thet you woul loose in La Plaine comennext electionn unless the NJ folks come down on free rides. Now with that move you are finished. Its back to preaching Sir.

  47. dhestini
    June 25, 2013

    i honestly think that decision shld be left up to the parents and children to decide which high school they shld attend. in terms of laplaine students are under-performing, i think once again thats on them and their parents, and not the highschool they attend.

    talking about distance – i dont see a difference in laplaine to CB, and laplaine to Roseau. personally i think its even easier if they were in town, cuz on many occasions, during exam time particularly, ive had parents call me asking if their child cld spend the night by me rather than travelling back and forth, so it gives them enough time to study and rest. in castle bruce, thats not an option, they must travel that 40 mins back home.

    ive seen, and heard couple times bout the bus breaking down, or bus late picking kids up fr CB, having those kids hitching ride to get back to laplaine. in terms of ‘whats best for the child’, mr MP..thats not the best thing.

    the worst thing u can do for the ‘best interest of the child’, is to force him/her to attend a school they dont want to. once again…leave that decision up to the kids and their parents.

    • June 25, 2013

      you are right in some ways.basically they wuld b having their own bus for la plaine.and to me its better if they send them to cb bcuz to many la plaine children prtend to b going school and nxt thing u knw they are on the road wandering abt i hve seen them with my own two eyes.they shuldnt complain bcuz is cb the la plaine kids where going to school before is ron green who changed it to roseau which makes no sense.bt in a way roseau schools are better becuz there are oppotunities.

  48. Just Reading
    June 25, 2013

    I don’t know why so many people disagree with the ministry’s decision to have the La Plaine students move to Castle Bruce…You have to come to the classrooms to see how beat up the students from La Plaine and Delices are…. some have to wake up 4am/5am to prepare to come to town, have to be traveling for more than a hour to Roseau.

    I hope the ministry see it fit as well to send the Delices students to Grand Bay..

    • Good
      June 25, 2013

      Why do I feel that you are discriminating against these children? It sounds like segregation-that Roseau and “country” separation!! just a thought-I may be wrong!!!!!

  49. Anonymous
    June 25, 2013

    The teachers with the most talareance are in Goodwill secondary, and every day they crying about Laplaine children. I think the minister is working in the best interest of the children. Stop that none sense of vote parents think of your children.

  50. MB
    June 25, 2013

    Some of you Dominicans are real small minded.. then y’all will complain about how the country is not moving forward. Everything that will come about as a positive decision there’s always some controversy with some of you people. Try to assess and internalize the article before y’all “blahjay” because half of what I’m reading aint making sense at all. Y’all think it’s easy for some of these students to wake at 5am to go to school.. take an entire day of sessions and rush home, where they still get home late,still have to study, do homework and get sleep to wake up at 5 the next morning? That will of course diminish their level of productivity. No man, some of you all need to for once look at the good in a decision before being so quick to blurt out unreasonable statements. Hon. Petter St Jean i second your motion!

    • Boosoleil
      June 25, 2013

      Yes, MB! You say it real, as it is. I enjoyed reading your post. Well-said!!

    • concern citizen
      June 25, 2013

      you are so correct

    • Laplaine Resident
      June 25, 2013

      Going to Castle Bruce ia also a fair distance from Laplaine so you and Mr. St. Jean point are clearly out of sink. Mr St. Jean must build the secondary school he promised the people of LaPlaine not look for short sighted solutions

      • an observer
        June 25, 2013

        Ronald Green was there befor Mr. Jean and he choose to put the school in Castle Bruce not La Plain, so what is your poin of St. Jean to build a School in La Plain. Castle Bruce is much closer to La Plain than Roseau. Everything we complain about it, but how many of us who find fault reach out to the parents with their children going up and down town. sometimes their own family treating them bad when they leaving with them in town. I know what I am talking about. The price will be less for the parents. All the Minister has to do now is offer the same transportation for these children like those going to town, and it can work. Everyone wants to send their children to school in town because they think they are better than others, but parents do have to assist their children, and children have to apply themselves in whatever they do. Grandbay have seoondary school, they want to go in Roseau, Portsmouth have secondary, they want to go Roseau, if all children out of Roseau go to Roseau, where will those in Roseau go? parents will have to send them to Castle Bruce, Grandbay and Portsmouth? Is only in Dominica this things happen, because you will still find some breaking the rules. anyway as a parent I think that is a good move for the parents.

      • Commuter
        June 25, 2013

        It’s really a shorter distance from Laplaine tO Castle Bruce.Students will not have to be up at 5am in the morning rather they will be up at 6am. In the first place La plaine students were suppose to go to CB but Ron green wanted to please Jean La plaine,leaving Grandfond and Morne Jaune to attend CBSS.
        Do you see the people of Grandfond and Morne Jaun complain? NO, so go register those kids for school. I did commute back in the days and it wasn’t easy leaving LA at 6am and then I had extra lessons so i would have to leave Roseau at 5pm to get to LA all 6:30pm. By the time i get to LA I am so tired but I know I have to eat dinner,shower and do my homework. I would go to bed about 10pm and get up at 2am to study all the way to 5am.Some students retain information well but some students have to study hard to pass an exam and you can’t perform well on a tired brain. Good move Mr St.Jean although I am not fan of yours but it was about time.

      • Laros
        June 25, 2013

        @ La Plaine resident don’t mistake Mr St Jean for Mr Green. For your information Mr Green promised La Plaine a high school and it was taken away from his hands. Now the idea to zone students as per high school first orginated from Mr green and the UWP and because Mr green didn’t deliver on his promise of a high school he left la plaine children in the Roseau catchment but originally they were suppose to go castle bruce and delice children were to go grand bay.

    • Anonymous
      June 25, 2013

      Your opinion has a good point. Yet, i think there are other factors affecting their performance. For example, parents need to keep a closer eye on their child’s performance. They also should develop closer relationships with the schools their children go to. Parents should not just send students to school and only show up for report card day or when they get into trouble.

      Time management could be another issue. I remembered some years a student of the Dominica State College, “Sydney Jules”, addressed that proper time management was the main contribution to his success. We need to established effective scheduling for our children. Ensure that they don’t spend all their time running on the road or on Facebook. They need to socialize, but on the other hand, it is essential that they complete assignments and re-enforced what they are being taught.

      On the contrary, I do agree with the minister because they can monitor the students better if they were placed in one school.

    • Good-to-go
      June 25, 2013

      O.K. So how long is the travel time from Laplaine to Roseau and return?

      And how long is the travel time from La Plaine to Castle Bruce and return?

      Do the maths first and then talk about saving on travel time.

    • boni
      June 25, 2013

      Not that I disagree with the “new rules” but the students would still have to wake up at 5am every morning to catch the bus which takes them to school

    • Slimgirl
      June 25, 2013

      But sending them to CB is not going to change the ease of commute, just the direction of commute. If you’re from La Plaine, it is better to be stuck in Roseau than in CB, I can tell you.

    • Anonymous
      June 25, 2013

      sadly they will still have to get up at 5 to go to CB because of the quantity of children travelling to the school the bus has to make more that one trip and in order for the students to reach on time a group must leave laplaine at about minutes to six.

  51. CONTRADICTION
    June 25, 2013

    “If a child is not ready for secondary school they should consider leaving them for another year in primary school,” he said.

    So why the purpose for universal education? Isn’t that a contradiction? Many grade 6 students are sent to high school, lacking basic level of primary school education. Universal education forces them to high school..yet he is now asking parents to keep their children back in primary school if they are not ready.

  52. Truth
    June 25, 2013

    I believe that the decision to move the students from the La Plaine area to Castle Bruce Secondary School is a brilliant idea. CBSS has recorded great results over the past years, from topping at CXC to many many other achievements……I am a product of CBSS and so are other highly achieved individuals….the students should use this opportunity to strive for nothing but the best, good move mr minister.

  53. Anonymous
    June 25, 2013

    La plaine parents needs to devote more time in their kids & making sure they get a better education.Its not the school they attend its you as parents to turn off the television,fb and cell phones and spend time with your kids.Great move Mr St jean if they a not ready for high school they should not attend H.S.

    • Commuter
      June 25, 2013

      Or if they’re not sending their children to CBSS there’s always private Orion Academy.

  54. Abitrator
    June 25, 2013

    As for the education system in Dominica, we need to go back to the way it was. That no child left behind it total BS. You had to work hard to go to high school and it felt like some form of accomplishment for the child, now there is no real incentive to work hard if we all getting promoted.

  55. Unknown
    June 25, 2013

    How time has changed. Are we majoring in minors? I remember a few years back some guy called Delbert who was from that area was DA island scholar at the A-level exams. I would want to believe that he travelled the same distance to get to school. Yet that did not deter him from being a high achiever.
    Let us grow up as a people. There are students the city who are doing worse than the students from La plaine and they are not taking any bus. So people to say is La pailne students that messing up schools in the city is pure rubbish. There are many persons from all walks of life servicing in Dominica’s work force who are from the La plaine area. So stop playing the city vs rural area game.

    I do not know whether or not this is the actual problem affecting the students performance. But if that’s the case then my advice to the Minister is they will have to consider building more campuses of the D.S.C in strategic areas around the island so that students can better perform at the tertiary level.
    I do hope that the move by the Minister and ministry of Education is a genuine one and not otherwise.
    To you students I say do not let where you go to school dictate what you can become, but instead go out there and become whatsoever you wish to become. And always in the positive sense. At my university there were students from all walks of life. There some who went to school in the open air under trees. Did that deter them from set high and attainable goals? No. I say to you, go and do likewise. Be diligent, be persistent no matter where you are placed.

  56. Abitrator
    June 25, 2013

    Society has changed drastically, and shamefully it’s for the worst. Our leaders and public figures are corrupt. Our teachers are at the same Jam with their students. Our police officers are messing around with the school children. We have babies raising babies. Mammy is 29yrs Daughter is 15yrs they look the same age and party together side by side whining on their man, while mammy new boyfriend is 20yrs. And the dirty laundry list goes on. We need a miracle in Dominica. Pray Pray Pray.

  57. Anonymous
    June 25, 2013

    It was about time. You bloom where you are planted. Going to Convent or SMA does not make you a bright child.

    There was a girl from a well-to-do family from Possie; non catholic at that. She placed really low down on the pass list.

    Everyday she was travelling to Roseau to go to Convent, until she eventually moved to live in Roseau.

    She spend 7 years in Convent; maybe she graduated this year.

  58. Just thinking
    June 25, 2013

    Good move. The distance will be cut even shorter when the Rosalie/petite Soufriere link road is completed.

  59. wotty
    June 25, 2013

    reading. this is what came to mine if you had put our S.C brunch at the N.E.C.S our children would be doing better instead of traveling to town everyday.

  60. country man
    June 25, 2013

    De only reason why dis move is bein made is bcuz gramma skool teachers fed up wit d attitude of la plaine children an dey don’t want more la plaine kids…so brace up CBSS teachers

  61. Disappointed
    June 25, 2013

    I am disappointed in the comments from the parents. our children do so well yet all our parents can do is talk politics and behave in a dogamtic and stubborn manner.

    Case in point:

    “My child NOT going to that school. Too much coshony at Castle Bruce Secondary papa.

    My child will go SMA or DGS and its as simple as that!”

    I take it you are from the area. Have you done anything at all to curb the “coshony” at the school. Have you made a positive contribution to CBSS in any way? Remember it all reflect on you too.

  62. jepjep
    June 25, 2013

    The traveling distance from La Plaine to Castle Bruce is 27.7km or 32 minutes, as compared to 38.3km or 46 minutes to Roseau.

  63. Disappointed
    June 25, 2013

    I am simply disappointed in those negative comments seriously. It sad that in a country where our children are doing so well academically the parents can only talk politics and be so stubborn and dogmatic. SHAME!!! and then we wonder why our children turn out to be so rebellious and they turn to violent means to solve their problems and always blaming others or the system. It is a SHAME!!! :( :( :(

    And for the parent who declared that their child not going to “that school” I take that you are from the Laplaine area. How much have you contributed to the development of the CBSS? So you see the coshony reflects on you too. The school is in your area make a positive contribution in some way to it.

    Let us just give the minister’s suggestion a chance people.

  64. Concern
    June 25, 2013

    The school that you attend will not determine your individual performance. That performance is dependant on the child.

    Also i agree totally that if a child is not ready for secondary level education, you as the parent should make a conscious decision and let your child do another year at primary school to catch up.

    Its no use letting that child go through the system and cannot even do basic maths. Imagine a child with three E, and one D . You work with your child for another year, get all the help you can for the child, and see what happens next year.

    THIS IS MY OPINION!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

    • Parent
      June 25, 2013

      My sentiments exactly!! If a child gets D’s and E’s at the exam, that should tell any parent that their child needs extra help. I totally agree with you and I have been saying this for sometime now.

    • hope
      June 25, 2013

      The school you attend does not determine your performance! Are you for real? Are we still making does baseless statements?

      School is a factor, do not make the “educated” tell you otherwise.

      • Ayeo
        June 25, 2013

        I went to Roseau Girls School which back in 1991 was not considered a choice school. My was one of maybe two students who got a scholarship in common entrance. Why? my mother. She ensured that I got extra lesson books and everyday after work she would come home and correct the work I had done. there was no excuse for mediocrity. I did go to Convent but had I ended up in Goodwill Secondary, trust me I would have excelled. So Hope, believe me when I tell you the parents have an important role to play.

      • Good
        June 25, 2013

        the school does not but the teachers at the school CERTAINLY DO. I proved it this academic year! The bright ones will not perform to their full potential and the weak ones will get weaker!!!!! I know what I am talking about!!! Google the Matthew’s Effect hope!!!!!

  65. No sense
    June 25, 2013

    Peter that’s bull, come better than that

  66. May
    June 25, 2013

    Yes some of them repeat grade six and they do worst the second year trust me.

  67. haha
    June 25, 2013

    so what if you work in town and drive your kids to school everyday. is that a ploy to cut the bus run distance by half???

    • Slimgirl
      June 25, 2013

      Yes, where do most people from La Plaine work? Must be in CB.

  68. lin
    June 25, 2013

    the minister has no more kids to go to high school.i am betting my life that if he had a child who sat the exams to attend a secondary school he would not make that decision

  69. Clueless
    June 25, 2013

    When we select leaders it is in our best interest to trust their judgments especially when their decisions come from a view point which we do not have. Roseau is Saturated with everything including students and violence is on the rise, segregation needs to take place. A shorter travel time to school is much needed to improve learning. On another note Roseau is just a hub for everything “NOT GOOD” a lot of the times, and lend excuses and distractions that a child really does not need who should be learning.

  70. Marcus Hill
    June 25, 2013

    What was the performance of the Castle Bruce Secondary School compared to (say) SMA or Convent High School and other High Schools in Roseau?

    Was the performance of the Castle Bruce School better?

    If distance is the issue Castle Bruce will not solve this. It takes almost the same time to travel from La Plaine to Roseau as from La Plaine to Castle Bruce.

    So, in effect, we save nothing or very little on travel time but could end up placing students, who you admit are not performing, at a school with a lower level of performance.

    With that kind of decision making skill it is no wonder they don’t want you to contest elections for them again.

    • Anonymous
      June 25, 2013

      I beg to disagree with you sir.

    • stupesss
      June 25, 2013

      how much of the children go to SMA??… ASK YOURSELF THIS.. SO THIS COMMENT NO sah.. and castle bruce is doin quite well now.. thank u.

    • June 25, 2013

      i would advise u if you do not know distance to shut up.la to castle bruce is much shorter than la to roseau

    • Dominican
      June 25, 2013

      Amen!Amen!

    • White Rose
      June 25, 2013

      you small minded individual…… The decision to move these kids to Castle Bruce is a great idea i was born and raised in the La Plaine area and its quite a shame to visit the La Plaine bus stop on school days to see the kinds of activities these kids partake in….. The move to CBSS will definitely decrease this…. Parents now be well assured that there kids are in school as opposed to wonder whether or not they are being truant. As performance wise … A school cant determine whether or not these kids perform its up to the child and theirs parents to assist, reinforce and supervise them at home. So cuddos to you Hon. Petter Saint-Jean for your remarkable decision-making skills as opposed to Mr.Ronald Green who was bamboozled when the school was first built by the Parents in the La Plaine area and NOT allowing the Policy to be Changed. Thanks for having the kids best interest at heart.

  71. jahcure
    June 25, 2013

    we not voting him thats why

  72. I'm Just Saying
    June 25, 2013

    Good Move Mr. St.Jean…now I hope you won’t start ‘bending the rules’ for some of your “supporters”. The way you hearing it in Dominica these days is, “I just going to de PM” or “I just going to my Parl Rep”.

    So let’s see what comes out of that, Mr. St.Jean. Remember, discipline starts from the HEAD.

  73. Pro
    June 25, 2013

    Foolish decision and the reasoning behind it makes absolutely no sense.

    • Me
      June 25, 2013

      Reasoning makes no sense at all. The problem is with the community not with the distance and time to get to school. Btu maybe that will send the parents a message. All party it have they in it. Young children out at 9 in the night. Always a jam here and a sewo there.

  74. UDOHREADYET
    June 25, 2013

    Great idea… Laplaine students doh ready for Roseau yet!
    they spending more time on bus than at their home studying.

    • Me
      June 25, 2013

      We have had students going up and down to La Plaine coming out with 6 and 7 ones. This is not a result of time spent traveling. This is a result of a village that is losing its morals. Parents are not being parents.
      SO we should send the Primary School students elsewhere as well? Why are we not getting more scholarships to secondary school? The community needs to change. These kids are just too loose. Some parents need to step in and be real parents.

      • preacher
        June 25, 2013

        Oh my you should not be ashamed to put your name. Is the gospel truth. there are still students who are doing well. Now our children in LaPlaine is gangs that their father, sewo is their mother.LORD HELP THE KIDS

    • June 25, 2013

      is true

  75. Anonymous
    June 25, 2013

    First class!

  76. big boy
    June 25, 2013

    Thank you peter for just pushing down thing our throats. Remember your days are numbered as pal rep

  77. Zeta
    June 25, 2013

    My child NOT going to that school. Too much coshony at Castle Bruce Secondary papa.

    My child will go SMA or DGS and its as simple as that!

    • Me
      June 25, 2013

      SMA is no longer taking La Plaine students. They are too disruptive and unmannerly. Parents need to step up. Too much sewo!

      • Zeta
        June 25, 2013

        I know who to talk to and my child is well groomed. I know if I send my child to Castle Bruce, in two weeks, I will not be able to parent him.

        Girls in toilet having ….., boys drinking and smoking on premises. Oh no! Not me. I not in that!

    • stupesss
      June 25, 2013

      do your research my lady.. that school is becoming one of the top school since they got that new principal.. do your research.. and SMA is not longer accepting them.. ehh.. so come again? name the “coshony” for me please if you dont mind?.. making it in the news paper for students topping CXC is cohshony?? principal being elected for principal of the year award is “cohshony”??? thank you.

      • Zeta
        June 25, 2013

        Children having sex in toilet during school hours IS coshony!

      • Commuter
        June 25, 2013

        If you won’t be able to parent your child then he is not well groomed PERIOD.

      • stupesss
        June 25, 2013

        i want to know.. how you know all that happening?? get your facts right my lady.. call ministry!! call ministry and ask about the school!!!! not one fight for the school year etc. do your research well my lady.. that new principal i must say i working wonders!!!.. even the baddest children sent there change and love her!!!.
        she has worked wonders with my kids and others.. simple minded Dominican!!

    • Anonymous
      June 25, 2013

      Hahahaha Zeta schools in Roseau not going to take your child carmem, what you go do? You will go complain to ministry? :mrgreen:

      • JP Morgan
        June 25, 2013

        You doh read she say she know who to talk to???? Zeta ‘know people dat know people’….LOLOL!!! Woosh!! All you killing me dere! :lol: :lol:

    • Laros
      June 25, 2013

      @ zeta if after two weeks you think you will not be able to control him that tells me u already cannot control him now so don’t blame the school he is suppose to go. You ready to blame the school for your wayward child. SMH

  78. hope
    June 25, 2013

    I find this so full of irony, this is interesting! The La Plaine parents demanded that their students not come to the Castle Bruce Secondary when the school first started, even after the school proved itself to be of high standards! Their “sick” logic then was we at Castle Bruce could not deliver. Today, their students are not performing and the solution is simply to “dump” them on the Castle Secondary School teachers! Wow! I do not know who should be most embarrassed; CBSS or the parents of La Plaine who fought “tooth and nail” to send their students to “Roseau Schools”.

    Anyway, the great teachers of CBSS will get them to learn, that is what we do! :)

    • UDOHREADYET
      June 25, 2013

      FYI Hope.. Castle Bruce is smaller than Laplaine. Most LA people like Castle Bruce for events but not for School. Per your comment the issue is directly related to the impact traveling from LA to Roseau and back daily. If what you’re saying is true then Castle Bruce teachers are much better than teachers in Roseau. I doh think so!

      • hope
        June 25, 2013

        I am of the impression that you would not recognize good teaching even after it slapped you in the face! Teachers on the countryside are working miracles with nothing! You want to talk comparison: Castle secondary in its first ten years rivalled the performance of Dominica’s well established schools that had been in operation for 70 and more years.

        Listen to me … castle bruce secondary is way out of your league

  79. so what
    June 25, 2013

    what if you want your child to be a better school in Roseau??

    • just saying
      June 25, 2013

      the school is what the students and teachers make it! ain’t no one school better than the other. you think if my foolish son goes to SMA or my dotish daughter goes to convent high he or she will automatically get good grades because these are two “good schools?. silly people open your eyes and dust your little brains.if the child is focused and sets his/her mind to get a good education then it will happen no matter where he/she goes to school.part of the responsibility rests on the teacher cause they are the educators,it is the parents responsibility to get their sons and daughters to the educators but is is the students responsibility to open their minds and absorb what they are taught regardless to what educational institution they attend. the island scholar this year did not attend SMP or convent prep or st martins primary did he? By God he attended the Concord primary school and he did great.people take a lesson from that.

    • Ayeo
      June 25, 2013

      Will you be a good parent and be a part of your childs educational development or you think that the “better school” will do it all for you?

  80. June 25, 2013

    is it true that you all are targeting a private school in Roseau you all want to close down because you all cannot afford to pay teachers. i hope not and is really in the best interest of the students.

    • Anonymous
      June 25, 2013

      If its a PRIVATE SCHOOL let them pay their own teachers or close down. :mrgreen:

    • hmmm
      June 25, 2013

      Um…Government does not pay the salaries of teachers at PRIVATE schools. Yet you have 6 likes to your bogus statement. Ignorance again.

    • SMH
      June 25, 2013

      some people really think back to front and ask stupid questions.your question was “is it true that you all are targeting a private school in Roseau you all want to close down because you all cannot afford to pay teachers” my answer: if it were a private school they would not be the ones paying the teachers would they? tsk “PRIVATE”

      • SMH
        June 25, 2013

        BTW mr minister i think the way you handled this situation was totally disrespectful to the parents and students of your constituency.
        i also think that if you decide to have a ‘catchment’ area for any school you should implement catchment areas for all schools. you could do it depending on the primary school the student attended, or their address of residence at the time this might not be a bad idea however you have to execute it in a very meticulous way. its not right for you to pinpoint one particular village and comment that their students are “lacking”. i know that alot of the students that are excelling in the Roseau schools come from the country areas.country primary schools.parents, why force your child to wake up at 5am to go to a roseau school when your child can wake up at 6am and attend a school closer to them? imagine your child staying up to study for an exam then he/she has to wake up so early to catch a long bus ride to school in town.it might be a good idea to send students to schools closer to them,this will lessen things like fatigue among other little troublesome things.

        • hmmm
          June 25, 2013

          you are all over the place. There are catchment areas for all students island wide.

          Secondly, isn’t sending them to CB going to address most of the concerns you raised including the fact that they will NOT have to leave Laplaine at 6 a.m. to get to Roseau.

  81. Romans 8:28
    June 25, 2013

    I agree with Mr St Jean and for additional reasons: I see an improvement in the performance of the Castle Bruce secondary School in the CSEC results in years to come, because prior to this decision, when children from Laplaine do well in The Grade Six National Assessment exam, schools in Roseau are given the priority for those children. If they could excel at the primary level in a rural school why can’t they excel at a Secondary school in a rural area too.

    It is not the school, it is up to the child, the home support, the effort the child puts into his or her school work. So I think this is good decision. It will also go to prove that there is good academic potential in all our secondary schools in Dominica and not just in Convent High and SMA.

    Parents should seek to support this initiative and maintain the same level of involvement in their children’s academic lives.

    All the very best to our children who have been successful at the Grade Six National Assessment exam. You are now moving on to secondary school. Do not lose your focus! May God bless you all.

  82. lin
    June 25, 2013

    good move the laplaine kids are spoiling the name of the schools in town.all they do is fight and smoke marijuana

  83. YES
    June 25, 2013

    I think this is a good decision. Laplaine should have been in the CB catchment from Day 1.

    • ambasso
      June 25, 2013

      Roseau zone (correction)

    • Positive
      June 25, 2013

      When The school was built in Castle Bruce – all Laplaine people including Peter were mad at the Parl Rep – saying that the school should be at Laplaine. I guess great minds think ahead. There is a larger catchment at the Castle Bruce School, Students from the Carib Territory, Concord, Petite Soufriere, San Sauveur Good hope and Castle Bruce have easy access to the school; Now Laplaine is included. It is just a matter of time when things come back to hunt us. It was the best decision to place the school at Castle Bruce. Now you Laplaine people have no other choice…. Obey your parl Rep and go to the Castle Bruce School – like it or not!!!

  84. Missing home
    June 25, 2013

    I fully support the idea that if a child is not ready for secondary school they should repeat the grade.to many of our children are just going through the system and at the end of the day it is to their detriment.

  85. Sweet . Com
    June 25, 2013

    Very good , the la plaine kids use the opportunity to roam roseau especially the young ladies in the chinese stores u find them. Good move St Jean

    • concern citizen
      June 25, 2013

      I support that move 100% sir.

  86. laplaine mother
    June 25, 2013

    Mr minister that’s pure nonsence ! We won’t settle for that

    • TEACHER
      June 25, 2013

      La Plaine mother, dont be hyprocrite. you know our students from laplaine have been caught with drugs, have gone all the way to st. Joseph with bus drivers, have shoplifted and dont talk of fight. At castle bruce the most they can do is pass through the petite soufriere road. Castle bruce safer and better for them

    • Commuter
      June 25, 2013

      Too bad.Aller Castle Bruce,nothing wrong with the school.

  87. Anonymous
    June 25, 2013

    After that long bus ride to and from Roseau on the hard road how alert can children be? By the time they get home they are tired, after a good rest, there is not time to have a little fun before hitting the books then its bed time. I hope the distance from Castle Bruce makes a difference (I dont know how far it is yet).

    • Curious
      June 25, 2013

      Nonsense how other students use to make it before..and they were the top achievers at the secondary schools… Parents need to step up and play an integral role in the children’s well being..that’s a big problem we are facing . I’m not saying that mr minister move is wrong but his excuse for the students to be transferred is poor..

      • Commuter
        June 25, 2013

        Students before were more focused than students of today.

    • Sir Lancelot
      June 25, 2013

      Stop making excuses for these children! Because if a sewo start right after they come from school, all of them would be in it. They wouldn’t be tired at all.

  88. Curious
    June 25, 2013

    Poor excuse Mr. minister. When there was no secondary school on the east , students were going to school in Roseau was there performance lacking? I don’t think so. mr.Minister you need to look for a better excuse… you need to look at the attitude of the Laplaine students and parents involvement are lacking… La plaine is upside down.. Take a look at the ptrimary school . The performance is really poor over a number of years now . Are the primary students going to school in town… Think again poor excuse

    • NOW
      June 25, 2013

      Where did the minister attend school and proper roads

  89. MUDD
    June 25, 2013

    I agree with Mr. St. Jean especially where he mentioned “if the children are not yet ready to live them in grade six”. Trust me parent the children that are not ready are being hurt.

    • Good
      June 25, 2013

      This must be a policy decision by the Ministry of Education and not one left for parents to decide as all parents want their children to attend high school!

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