As fifth formers prepare to begin the new school year with online classes on Monday, (Sept. 13), the decision to have them and all other students wear their uniform during virtual sessions is again being defended by ministry officials.
In August, Education Minister, Octavia Alfred had announced the postponement of the reopening of school due to the current upsurge of Covid-19 and that all students would be required to wear uniform while attending class even if they are at home. She also noted that others with no internet access will be accommodated at the primary schools in their villages, taking into consideration the necessary protocols.
Since the uniform requirement announcement, some have called on the ministry of education to review its decision.
Ian Jackson, a teacher at the St. Mary’s Academy (SMA) was one of those who criticized the move, calling it a comical and impractical requirement. The English teacher said he understands the thinking that being in uniform makes one feel like they are part of an environment, “but these are different times.”
Prime Minister Roosevelt Skerrit, in responding to criticisms had said,”…Sometimes you don’t know how to please people, because when we had online learning last year, there were teachers who complained on how their students were dressed and to bring a sense of discipline and to bring a sense of, I am in class.”
He also said the government is trying its best to see how it can work with different circumstances so that people can fit in and not feel left out.
A similar sentiment is being echoed by Chief Education Officer Jeffry Blaize who believes that a uniform establishes a sense of respect, formality, identity and structure in the delivery of education. He said it also brings a sense of comfort and takes a certain pressure off less fortunate students.
Alluding to previous experience in recent years, including following Hurricane Maria when students would have had to attend class without uniforms for some time, Blaize opined that in the absence of uniforms, there was an added pressure on students to wear outfits that were accepted by their peers. Since a number of them were unable to afford these, it resulted in a lack of comfort for them.
“Some students actually would not show up for school because of the intimidation that that would cause. Similarly, that happens in an online environment because we expect students to have their cameras on in an area that is very safe and comfortable for engagement but then what that does is that, if the students don’t have their uniforms on they sometimes use the opportunity to show off and we don’t fault them for that – they are being students… but unfortunately, those who don’t have that opportunity are intimidated sometimes and you find that they may not show up online… So we really want to at least mitigate that particular challenge,” he said.
“We are saying, have the uniform on as a sense of respect, as a sense of ensuring that there is minimal disturbance and distraction in the class…” Blaize said, while noting that online learning in uniform is not unique to Dominica.
Permanent Secretary for Education Chandler Hyacinth said that her ministry aims to make every student feel equally important and comfortable and that with the uniform mandate, “no student will feel disadvantaged” because of how they are dressed.
She also stated, “We regard the uniform as one way to let the students realize they are at school [and] they need to take it seriously.”
Hyacinth said that her ministry is aware that online platforms expose various disparities in society which affect the school system. She believes the most deprived students will “feel a way” if they have to dress [in outfits other than uniforms] to be on the platform, “and it affects them.”
She took the opportunity to implore students to take their education seriously, whether online or face-to-face.
Other classes and forms are expected to begin school on October 4, 2021.
“….Chief Education Officer Jeffry Blaize who believes that a uniform establishes a sense of respect…” When a video went viral of school children (in uniform) fighting a uniformed female police officer, where was the respect? If it’s not a Police Officer in uniform some children respect, it’s their own school uniform they will..????
As fifth formers prepare to begin the new school year with online classes on Monday, (Sept. 13), the decision to have them and all other students wear their uniform during virtual sessions is again being defended by ministry officials.
So, here is my question?
If the students, are taking their classes on line; one would expect them to be at home, with a computer accessing their subject from a source in the institution they attend.
If that is the case, they can even remain in their PJ in their house; what is the big deal of dressing in some dumb uniform?
The idea is a lack of trust, someone is thinking the students who are not very capable will get help form a smarter person; fact is one could see someone dressed up in a uniform, how do they know if it is a legitimate student sitting in front of the laptop or PC?
Dominica is one of the place student are dressed in some dumb uniform, never saw that in Europe, not North America!
DLP Comic relief!
Like some DLP supporters going to work with a big red shirt like a uniform….they working for labor!!!! Playing dress up to please dere king!!!
When children get dress in clothes they associate with going out they expect to leave home especially the younger ones, this is going to cause them some confusion plus the children have to be supervised so someone must stay home with them to ensure that everything goes fine with them, what about this individual, he or she might have to lose their income to ensure that this is carried out. This is something which has been poorly conceptualized in my opinion. Plus it does not address the poverty which is reflected in some parents being incapable of buying appropriate clothing for their children. This is what should be discussed moreover a parent or guardian may have to sacrifice income to supervise their child schooling.
Not being able to afford proper clothing is a form of poverty! This is what should be concerning more than anything else, the level of poverty which exists here in Dominica, something which uniforms can not fix. This has nothing to do with discipline and or having any sense of relation through a uniform, it is trying to hide the poverty instead of addressing it, which would be the true approach of leadership. To hell with these government people.
Can you give some workable suggestions? The line Minister will be glad for some specificity.
By the way, I agree with you. The primary focus of the Ministry of Education shou!d be on trying to resume in-person classes. Alsu, trying to make the online classes as seamless as possible.
Minister of Eduction
My lady, get some other work to do involving other pertinent things. Looking down the road, buy computers for those who don’t have, see how your ministry can help the many children who can’t afford a snack or to buy a mask from Monday to Friday. Have a very serious talk with the bus drivers taking the children to school to stop bombarding the students with vile and sometimes satanic music. How many students to a bus? Is it going to be the same BOOFOONIC thing of maybe16 or more students?? Myriad of other ways you can engage your empty brain constructively to help the students.Stock all schools with thousands of masks, etc, etc, etc. Money should not be a problem. We have
EC$4 000 000 000.00 somewhere outside of Dominica, ask Skerrit for some of it to help our students…Make yourself a national hero!!
Stuppessssssssssssssssssssssssssssss
Pampalammmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm
I don’t understand the reason for the argument against this decision.
First of all, wearing the uniform will motivate the minds of the students to realize that they are at a school session with their teachers, just as it would be in the classroom itself.
Secondly, they have the uniforms, don’t they? So what is the problem with wearing it even they are at home–they are supposed to keep in mind that they are in the classroom at the given time.
This coronavirus will be here for quite a while, these situations have to be learned and accepted to make Life easier for everyone. Why can’t some people understand that and stop making a big deal against everything?
And while you at it, why don’t you make an appeal, to have the parents of these same students, get some financial assistance, to help with the washing, ironing of these uniforms (electricity bills). Since most of us parents have to work limited hours, which results in less take home pay, some are even still unemployed. Sitting at home in a uniform going to make a child more focus, with no home supervision?
Why didn’t the same Minister and ministry, allow for duty-free importation of tablets and laptops for our children? It is amazing that some sit in their offices and without discussing, they can decide what is best for our children.
Do you ever understand any issue? All you do is to throw blind support behind anything Skerrit and his seventeen (17) blind mice do.
The mantra is “do as I say”. How can a government which disregards the requirements of the laws of the country that all government money must be put in the consolidated fund yet it doesn’t do so and won’t or can’t account for the billions of dollars. The law also states that all government works must be put out for tender yet numerous capital projects by this government are just handed out to “pals”selected by the cabal. The ability to make the most of online learning is not only dependent on the outfit or uniform worn by the students. There are many difference between being physically in a classroom and a camera showing images. The competence and skills of the teachers also will play a big part. Many students in the US report having difficulty focusing and also miss the physical interaction of a classroom setting. Some person’s learn better in group setting. How about the appearance of the home in the video, it will vary like the clothing. This is autocratic leadership.
I might be totally against wearing uniforms at home but not in class taking online classes. My daughter has been reading for her Master for a year and a half going part time and will be graduating next year with her Master, god’s willing, in May. For a year now since the onset of the pandemic she has been taking classes online at home not in uniform but still dressed decently and appropriately. I can really see the purpose of wearing uniforms in class taking classes on line and, again, you are in school not at home which are two different environments. Despite the fact she is home taking classes online she still dresses appropriately and decently at the table far less for being in class. Sometimes the spotlight falls on her depending on the course. Being in class doing it online makes a big difference. You have to remember that you are among your peers and in a different setting and environment and that the spotlight falls on you. I fully support the Minister.
@ds, what you said about your daughter is the reason the Ministry of Education is calling for students to wear their uniform while they are taking online classes at home.
You said that your daughter dresses decently while taking her classes; that is fine, but how does the Ministry of Education know that all students will be like your daughter?
So that is the reason for the call to wear the uniform–that way they know that all students will be dressed uniquely–not some of them being dressed decently.
Do you not ask yourself why is it that some students parents are able to afford proper clothing while others are incapable of providing proper clothing and or food or environment for learning? This is more a question of poverty in my opinion and instead of addressing it the minister is trying their best to hide the poverty of our nation.
No one has asked about your daughter. I hope she is successful though. We can do without your annoying narcissism.
Having online classes, even to get adults focused, is difficult. Knowing this, I hope that face to face learning would be resumed sooner rather than later. Children learn better in a social setting as human beings are social beings. That’s the reason young children are so anxious to get back to school after a long vacation.
to be honest, i think the uniform call might be a good one in that, the children already have a hard time dealing with distractions. As a child, i might decide to take the time to dress as eccentric as possible, especially knowing i am in the comfort of my own home. I might give myself a mohawk, wear a studded sleeveless denim jacket with matching spiked gloves to match. to top it all off, i wear my moms sunglasses and a bandana. That is a rather extreme case, from what i just described, but you can see how these subtle leeway’s and individual expressions can lead to distraction for the youth in class. So if everyone is in uniform, that in itself is not a problem. Everyone will look at each other in the same manner.
As a Minister of Education, why entangle yourself mandating such a Protocol, isn’t there more important things your Ministry should be doing to get students through this crisis, which I’m sure there is.
Can you give some workable suggestions? The line Minister will be glad for some specificity.
By the way, I agree with you. The primary focus of the Ministry of Education shou!d be on trying to resume in-person classes. Alsu, trying to make the online classes as seamless as possible.
Wow, I’m not faltered by your response, lol, but on a serious note thanks, it shows that we can disagree and agree but at the end of the day we are all Dominicans and want the best for our Country not only political issues but also the health and wellbeing You asked for workable suggestions, is the Ministry accessing the mental health of our students, anxiety and depression, these are very serious mental health problems that could arise from this crisis affecting our young people, which are supposed to be the future leaders of our Country. There should be some kind of
extended family support, some parents may be affected by the crises and the students may be caught up in an environment not conducive to their learning, and that is where the extended family comes in., that is my issue regarding more important things the Ministry should be doing to get students through this crisis.
If you are indeed a present Minister of Education (which country) or former Minister of Education, I can only shake my head at your comment. While there are many modes of dealing with the students coping with online learning, I think the uniform protocol IS A GOOD ONE and people should support the Ministry of Education in that regard. It is not trivial – it has its own psycho-social implications for group setting and for other aspects associated with discipline and decorum for some students who may want to deviate.
This particular Minister is great. She is particularly great at creating conflict, confusion and controversy.
When an adult in the sunset years of her life, could accused an innocent, morally impeccable lady of teaching her the word ‘pampalam’, then expect absurd and weird actions from this person.
Online classes, even in countries which are technologically well developed, are fraught with countless difficulties. I hope that in-person classes would be back soon. Too many children are going to be left behind if online learning continues for an extended time.
This administration instead of making Dominica the envy of the region, Skerrit, Madam Pampalam et alia, have made this Caribbean gem the laughing stock of the world.
In terms of seeking equality: from what I’ve seen of on-line sessions, the camera takes in – beyond head and shoulders – the participants home environment . How do you get around this?
You can put a fake background for Zoom.
D.N.O if i am noy mistaken Dr. Blaize is the acting chieft educaton officer and not the assistant. I may be wrong but please reconfirm and make the necessary ammendment in your article.
ADMIN: Thank you for taking the time to point that out. The correction has been made.
Defend for what? Anybody with sense would understand why they would ask for the students to wear uniforms.