In what is being described by Dominica’s Prime Minister Roosevelt Skerrit as a commitment to higher education for students, the government of Dominica is making good on its pledge to Dominican students in the United States of America (USA) by paying outstanding debts to two universities.
In respective letters sent to enrolled Dominican students, Midwestern State University (MSU) and Grambling State University (GSU) noted that they have exhibited patience and understanding to the government of Dominica in the face of financial challenges brought about by external factors such as the pandemic and natural disasters. However, the mounting unpaid balances, totalling millions of dollars owed have reached a point where the universities can no longer sustain the financial strain.
Dr. Edwin Litolff, Vice President for Finance of GSU, revealed that the government of Dominica has accumulated a balance of over USD $3.1 million. Consequently, the university issued an ultimatum to the government of Dominica, providing them with a “last opportunity for payment.”
If payment is not received, Dominican students will be barred from registering for classes or residing on campus for the Spring Semester 2024. Days later, another letter surfaced this time from MSU’s Vice President for Administration and Finance, Dr. Beth Reissenweber, and Vice President for Enrollment Management and Student Affairs and Chief Strategy Office, Dr. Keith Lamb, in which MSU stated that all Dominican students will be required to individually comply with the standard payment terms in place for MSU students.
“Any balance owed on your student account, including balances that the Commonwealth of Dominica had promised to pay, must be paid in full before you will be able to register for the Spring 2024 semester. This will include fall 2023 charges. Additionally, any student with a past due government and/or student balance will be unable to receive a transcript upon graduation, in accordance with MSU policy,” the letter stated.
However, amid growing concerns, Prime Minister Skerrit during a press conference, disclosed, “We have started paying for the students’ studies overseas. We’re sending a million US dollars to Grambling to pay for the students and we’ll be sending half a million dollars to Midwestern so we’re paying down on our debt to students.”
Beyond the financial aspect, Skerrit noted the government’s engagement with the affected students. Whilst acknowledging the concerns expressed by both students and parents, Skerrit emphasized the importance of exhibiting self-control and discipline when addressing challenges.
“I understand the students’ and parents’ anxiety so sometimes the comments they make I don’t really take it personal,” the Prime Minister posited. “But all I am saying is that, we are people who are going to go into the workplace, we have to display a level of self-control and discipline and not go into emotional outbursts.”
He continued, “the same way you can criticize we not paying is the same way you can post when you graduate and you walk with your high heels and all fees paid you have no loan, you should post the same thing.”
The Prime Minister averred that his government’s discreet but substantial financial investment in education reflects their dedication to creating a robust educational framework that equips Dominicans for success.
“The reality is, we have opened doors for thousands of young Dominicans and this is unprecedented in our history,” he expressed.
Bob Marley in one of his songs said never accept favous from politician. This above is why. Now Roosevelt wants to tell students what to say and how to express themselves. Must be from his pocket those funds came. Must be from the labour party. That kleptocrat doe not seem to realize donations from government is from the people of dominica and not him or his party. The kids only loyalty is to thier country and what they believe it represents for them and others. You create chaos then come pretending to ease burden. Pure psychological manipulation. No different from an abusive man who keeps his woman dependent and feeling like without him life will be worse so she stay take miser.
The policy to send kids college is not genuine but simply to manipulate thier families and the kids to get something in return. A vote to continue the parasitic governance
He continued, “the same way you can criticize we not paying is the same way you can post when you graduate and you walk with your high heels and all fees paid you have no loan, you should post the same thing.”
The man is 100% right. As we say in D/A freeness is worriness. I hope that is a lesson to people to not depend on government for anything
It’s the Horrible PM that encouraged them to do so and even took away their jobs to depend on him. Hypocrites, damn Hypocrites this entire LABA party.
Im sure there is no delay in the 64k a month rent payment to his bank act.
You see that and it’s the recipient of this crazy amount of money that talks about high heels. Snake with a split tongue!!
weh, you are really anxious for that $64k. You won’t get it. I can assure you that. Have you bought your groceries yet for next week? Hope you are not dependent on that $64k. Take your daily shower and forget about $64k.
Now the “I’m-the-people” leader is attempting to point fingers and castigated others for the failure of his regime to take control of it’s responsibility to pay up what it owes. Skerritt wants us to forget his immature utterances pertaining to Lennox Linton and the opposition UWP. Was he acting with self control and discipline? It’s easy to see when his thin skin has been pricked by the utterances of citizens who care about Dominica and the bad image it gets from his irresponsible behavior, because even if he says he doesn’t care, the fact that he brings it up like a spurned and quarrelsome woman let’s you know his ego has been bruised. He allowed the students and their parents to be put under tremendous stress by his poor management of the issue. He should just allow his ministry to announce that money’s are being paid to the institutions. Instead he had to go there into his emotional outburst and tantrums. Dominica deserves better.
dont forget to pay the other universities too
Some of us like to talk and not try understand. I’ve been here for a while and have realized that whilst change is a must because we get complacent we should also see when people are trying. This government have hone over and beyond for it’s people yet little or no gratitude is given to them. I hardly hear a student say is government that assisted me whilst others like myself still paying loans for schooling. I’m not saying you have to vote for them but we only found out is government that gave upu a scholarship because payments weren’t made on time and you will get the degree and never say thank you…greedy dom dom
If we wait for miracles from heaven to open our eyes to the ineptitude of this government, then we deserve every lick of embarrassment and misfortune..tsk tsk tsk
Pay your debt and leave the students release their stress by speaking their minds. What happen you want them to toofay? Fire burn wicked ones!
The Prime Minister posited. “But all I am saying is that, we are people who are going to go into the workplace, we have to display a level of self-control and discipline and not go into emotional outbursts.”
May I suggest that those in government lead by example.
You see the BS the man talks. He promised that the government would pay the fees and when he is found out not having paid the fees he attempts to play the innocent party and stutters about self-control, discipline and high heels. All those attributes he stutters about, i.e. self control and discipline are attributes he doesn’t process in fact he lacks even the smallest amount of character. As far as ‘high heels’ is concerned, why doesn’t the CM and the cabal look in the mirror. Plenty high heels on show there. The man just doesn’t cease to amaze me, he has more front than the Hamptons. What a disgraceful human being.
Just pay the debt and shut up. Your government allowed the debt to balloon and now your are trying to make the students guilty for something you caused.
Please!!!!