Education Minister Octavia Alfred has highlighted the Government of Dominica’s focus on early childhood education.
She was delivering remarks during the commissioning ceremony of the newly rehabilitated Delices Primary School on Wednesday.
The commissioning of the school forms part of the Dominica Climate Resilience and Restoration Project funded by the Government of Canada through the Caribbean Development Bank in the post Hurricane Maria period.
The US$7.5 million project included the construction of 4 primary schools and other components such as the provision of ICT equipment, furniture, learning materials and supplies.
“This government understands the important role that early childhood plays in the acquiring of basic, social and emotional skills which lay the groundwork for continued success throughout the child’s education,” Alfred said. “Therefore, this government places specific emphasis on early childhood education…we believe that the children of Delices deserve the best from Pre-K, all the way up.”
Alfred said her ministry is proud of the work that has been done in conjunction with other partners to return students across the island to safer structures where they can thrive and expand their knowledge.
She stated that over the last 5 years, the goal was to build better, stronger and more resilient school structures.
“Disasters told us that our schools needed to be built to withstand more intense weather events with the potential to disrupt the schooling of our children,” the minister said.
Alfred urged parents to support their children, their teachers and principal in the pursuit of excellence in education at the Delices Primary.
Minister for Housing and Urban Development, Reginald Austrie who represented Prime Minister Roosevelt Skerrit, referred to the commissioning of the $1.1 million newly rehabilitated Delices Primary School as another example of Dominica’s partnership in action.
“Features such as a library, home economic room, early childhood centre, auditorium and the provision of ICT equipment, furniture and learning material, speaks to the government’s commitment as a government to improve all children in all our schools with an enhanced learning environment for success,” Austrie noted.
He acknowledged government’s responsibility, in this changing global environment, to advance children’s chances for success, “enabling them to be academically competitive in the global situation, good citizens within the community, country and the world and effective within their workplace.”
“It means that the education we offer even at the primary level must engage new technologies, equip students with advanced knowledge and skills and encourage innovation and creativity,” he further stated. “We are seeking to create this culture in all our schools by first providing safe and healthy spaces for positively influencing our academic outcomes for our students.”
The government, he said, is striving to provide students with a strong foundation for further education and training which will prepare them for the knowledge based economy.
He encouraged the children and people of Delices to treasure this gift.
“I wish you every success in your new school; make the best of it,” Austrie advised.
Meantime, Parliamentary Representative for Laplaine, Kent Edwards said the occasion was one for celebration.
“Importantly, it is part of the many development pieces of infrastructure that this government has delivered to La Plaine, Delices and Beotica,” he said.
Edwards credited the Roosevelt Skerrit administration with having “touched every aspect of human life in these communities.”
“We can speak of housing, education, health, agriculture, security, child welfare, elderly care, sports, employment, entrepreneurship, small business to name a few,” the La Plaine MP noted.
The Morne Jaune Primary School was also commissioned on Wednesday. The W.S Stevens Primary School will be commissioned on Friday May 13, from 10: 30 a.m.
In 2014 UWP got a total of 17,587 votes
In 2019 UWP got a total of 16,424 votes.
17,587- 16,424 = 1,163.
In 2019 UWP Roseau valley 768 votes
Roseau central 870
Roseau north 2,134
Roseau south 1938
Total. 5,710 votes in the Roseau area.
After 5 Wednesday marches organized by UWP in Roseau they cannot get a following of 100.I wonder why?And I wonder why they lost 1,163 votes in the 2019 election?
They lost because you all sat and calculated how many people to buy ticket for and feed etc., to bring down to vote.
If I May ask, how mand students og to these Schools? They seem quite small. What about playareas? Learning does not only occur in the classroom with books and a chalkboard. Children learn on the playgrounds when they have to solve their conflicts,, by running, jumping and skipping.
If there are in fact playgrounds Them DNO please provide pictures. One picture does not say much. Would have also be god seeing inside.
We still build these facilities like its the 1980’s. These days schools are more than just a room that classes can be held in with toilets. They should have libraries, properly equipped play grounds and outdoor sitting areas.
The physical plant and the environs of any educational facility should be conducive to learning. The physical structure of this refurbished primary school seems to pass the test. Looks good! Thanks to the generosity of friendly countries.
But, let’s look pass the aesthetics of the building and its surroundings. What about the execution of the lessons in the classroom? Is there ongoing training of the teachers? Are the education policies and strategies working for most of the nation’s students? Is a general maintenance plan in place to guard against the rapid dilapidation of these edifices?
One last thing to mention. “Edwards (MP) credited the Roosevelt Skerrit administration with having touched every aspect of human life in these communities”. This is very true.
These communities have been touched with poverty, dispossession, hunger, disease, joblessness, discrimination, victimization, verbal abuse by this callous and despotic kakistocracy. Proof- Jimbo and Pennyman
I don’t know how those UWP and their overeducated supporters are saying Skerrit is corrupt In 2000 the PEOPLE kicked out UWP because of massive corruption,victimization and greed.After 22 years the People are yet to vote out the DLP It would seem DLP corruption and UWP corruption is different.I cannot read somebody told me the $7.5 million project was funded by the Government of Canada through the World bank UWP want the world to believe money is pouring into a corrupt man’s country by foreign countries and financial institutions.IBO will burst a blood vessel.
You in the US. surviving on unemployment benefits. You would be a homeless miscreant on the streets in Dominica. You won’t have the privilege of getting unemployment checks. Stay put and write your foolishness.