Prime Minister Roosevelt Skerrit has announced that in the next few weeks, work will begin with the demolition of the structure of the existing Goodwill Secondary School (GSS) to prepare the site for construction of the new school.
He made the disclosure while addressing a press briefing held earlier this week.
The GSS which was severely damaged during the passage of Hurricane Maria in 2017, is among six learning facilities across the island to be reconstructed by the Peopleβs Republic of China (PRC).
Following the 2017 natural disaster, the People’s Republic of ChinaΒ (PRC) gave a commitment to support Dominicaβs school reconstruction and in May 2020, an agreement was signed between the Ministry of Education and the PRC for the reconstruction of the schools.
However, Prime Minister said although there are six other schools government mentioned as priority, namely Thibaud Primary School, Tete Morne Primary School, the extension of the Sineku Primary School, Calibishie Primary School, and the new school for the students of Bellevue Chopin, Pichelin and Petite Savanne who are now at Bellevue Chopin, the new Goodwill Secondary School is said to be top priority in terms of a start.
βIn the next few weeks we are going to move with the clearing of the site to demolish the structure of the existing Goodwill Secondary School, so that we can get the site ready for the Chinese for when they are coming to Dominica,β he said.
He continued, βAnd so the shift system of the Goodwill Secondary School is really not what we should continue to have.β
Skerrit added, βI mean the students have less hours at school and of course the afternoon session, especially with the afternoon heat itβs a challenge. We have directed the Ministry of Education to purchase additional fans and ensure that the students / the issue of the heat can be minimized.β
According to him, the Chinese Government is now going through the procurement process and his government is hoping that in the month of June or thereabout, based on the schedule that the Chinese government provided to the Dominica government, they will issue a contract to a firm for the construction of the new GSS.
βWe are on this, both the Ministries of Foreign Affairs and the Ministry of Education are in constant dialogue and contact with the Chinese Embassy and they have been very gracious and helpful to us in that regard,β he stated.
Meanwhile, the Prime Minister placed on public record his immense gratitude to the Principal of the GSS, Miss Noreen Graham, and staff.
βThis principal is exceptional and she has an intrinsic commitment to students and their welfare. And the depth that she goes into to provide support and care for the students is something that every citizen needs to exemplify in a sense and display,β he said.
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Great post
Priority? Almost 6 years post Maria? Perhaps he meant priority pre the next storm?
He clearly thinks you all are stupid and plans to keep it that way, cause then you will vote for them again.
LMAOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO Priority they say wi???? Lord… LMAOOOOOO Boy Dominica is the biggest effing joke in that Caribbean!!! We does just say fings wi, and use words without meaning or recollection. Skerrit mansions in Morne Daniel (Both of them) received priority! The State House where Charlo living received priority. I just waiting to see which gets fixed first, the Public Library Building on Victoria Street.. or the Goodwill Secondary School. Even the new wing of the Grammar School got “priority”. Man all you must stop repeating absolute nonsense and give decent Dominicans the respect they deserve. Priority? International airport that will never actually build got priority, 2 stolen elections got priority, even a pretence of a election reform with Sir Byron got priority. But not the Goodwill School Not the Pottersville Savanah got 1 ounce of priority. Many of you will still vote for these kinds of people to only receive crumbs. cost of living up. stand of living…
All that is distraction from the looming MASSIVE electoral reform and poverty protest coming at the end of the month to kick these guys to the curb. So long Ma Maria come and gone? My bro thanks but wheel and come again please.
We still rebuilding after Maria, but when was Maria!
Ok. Good news! Looking forward to hearing about the New Library as well.
Good news? After 6 years, this Scharlatan promises a new school. Why wasnβt it done directly after the hurricane? Why subject the children to a dilapidated building for so long? The CM doesnβt care! But he is planning to establish an education task force. Why? Because itβs easier and cheaper than building schools. A task only spews words but doesnβt serve any other purpose apart from paying some members of the task force (all Skerrit worshippers of course) big wages.
During the last general election campaign, when the Labour Party candidate, Ms. Blanchard, for the Roseau North constituency was being launched, the Prime Minister stated that the reasons for the delays constructing a new Godwill secondary school was that the Government got plans from the Chinse for building the school, but if they had to proceed, they would have to use half of the Goodwill savannah, and it’s only the Prime minister who can speak such nonsense, Hope a proper structure is built on the existing site.
@Grayson Stedman
His, (Skerrit’s) fools, clap at the nonsense! Remember he told them, he and his family have insurance if any illness befall them, but what about you all…!!
They started to CLAP and JUMP and blow Red Trumpets thunderously!!!
πππππππππππππππππππππ
Me, why don’t you get a life and stop being a boomerang. Me is also a pronoun and not the name of a human being.
Exactly, meanwhile he have capable architects, and contractors who were never approached for their designs and costs as should be in public tender process. They anly accepted plans from chinese who designed a total disaster. Apart from the amount of space, the design was absolutely ridiculous. small windows, nothing for ventilation etc. Plus how can you design a building but you dont have the original land survey that shows how much space and the contours of the land. MADNESSS!!!!! i bet is the same for the airport. No public tendor to determine the best choice for the best price. i was livid when i saw what was proposed and we sit here and day and do NOTHING. Resilience? Sustainability? We are allowing these people to kill Dominica with what is going on now people. People of Goodwill and Roseau North you are cut from a different cloth! I know you still have standards and a sense of dignity. Why are we allowing the pm to talk such rubbish. Hold Blanchard to task!!!!!
Goodwill Secondary School receives priority for post-Maria reconstruction, work to begin soon…….LOL LOL LOL
Priority post Maria…….LOl LOL LOL LOL….. in further new the yellow school bus under the tree is getting priority removal post hurricane DAVID…..
I must give it to Skerrit for his creative use of words.Six years after Hurricane Maria, he is giving TOP priority to rebuilding the Goodwill School.
Thanks God my grandmother drilled the value of education into my head from the time I learned to speak.
Thanks Ma…….Skerrit cannot fool me.
When he decides (that should be: if he decides) to rehabilitate the Salisbury feeder road, he will also say he gave it TOP priority.
Education should always be one of the top priorities of any country. Our labour force should be packed with human resources that have the requisite skills and academic qualifications to satisfy most/all employment opportunities.
All of the school plants and their environs should be in immaculate condition, conducive to learning. After six years we have to wait on the Chinese to get proper learning institutions just like in healthcare ( clinics & hospitals).
Truth be told, the Chinese autocracy has been our benefactor but at what cost? By the way, are these gifts, grants or loans? We must be acutely aware whenever the Chinese come bearing gifts. Strings are normally attached.
I don’t believe that the Chinese are going through any procurement process……who bidding against dem.?…….stupes…….. that’s a no bid contract.
since they first published the chinese designs i said instantly where was the call for tender? where is the public procurement process? Same for the airport!!! all of a sudden we just heard MMC is building it and contract signing. We have local and regional firms who would have liked to put in their bid… but as everything here is done between friends and in secret, we will never know until its too late.