The Electoral Reform Coalition (ERC) has voiced serious concerns following the collapse of the auditorium roof at the Dominica Grammar School (DGS) construction site on June 16, 2025. Despite government assurances and a promise of investigation, the ERC warns that the swift resumption of construction raises troubling questions about oversight, accountability, and student safety.
In a detailed statement, the ERC outlined a series of pressing questions that remain unanswered:
- Were the original designs approved by the Physical Planning Division, and were they followed during construction?
- Did the Physical Planning Division conduct inspections as mandated by law?
- Who are the developer and contractor responsible for the project?
- Has a structural engineering firm been formally appointed to investigate the collapse?
- What safeguards exist to prevent conflicts of interest in the investigation?
- Who will bear the cost of the investigation—taxpayers or the responsible parties?
- What penalties will be imposed if gross professional negligence is found?
- Can the damaged auditorium be salvaged, or will demolition be necessary?
- Will other structures on site be investigated for safety and compliance?
- Will students be allowed to occupy the facility without formal confirmation of its structural integrity?
The ERC stressed that preliminary observations suggest deficiencies in construction practices and called for robust assurances of safety before the facility is occupied. The coalition also urged transparency, including public access to the collapsed structure to promote learning and improved construction standards.
On June 17, in statement following the collapse, Minister of Education Octavia Alfred assured the public that student and staff safety remains the ministry’s highest priority and that the matter is under review in consultation with the contractor.
The following day, Acting Prime Minister Denise Charles announced that the government views the collapse as a matter of “grave concern.” She outlined a series of measures, including:
- Immediate suspension of construction activities
- Engagement of an independent engineering firm to investigate the collapse
- Inspection of all other structures on site
- Oversight by a joint team from the Ministry of Education and the Ministry of Public Works
Charles affirmed that the safety of students and staff is paramount and pledged further updates as the investigation progresses.
Despite these official statements, the ERC notes that public commentary has been limited. The Physical Planning Division has yet to issue a formal statement, and both the developer and contractor have remained silent. The professional community—including engineers, architects, contractors, and lawyers—has also refrained from public engagement, according to the ERC.
Meanwhile, the ERC says that construction has resumed at an accelerated pace, reportedly aiming for occupancy by September to align with the new academic year and warns that such haste, absent clear findings and public accountability, could jeopardize safety and erode public trust.
With the project’s estimated cost exceeding EC$55 million, the ERC is calling on political parties, civil society organizations, professional associations, youth groups, and the business community to actively engage in the discourse. The coalition says it remains committed to monitoring developments closely and advocating for transparency, accountability, and the protection of Dominica’s students.
Dominica News Online (DNO) was informed that no work is being undertaken on the auditorium at this time.
I’ve said it before and will say it again, parents and teachers of children attending DGS shouldn’t resume teaching until a comprehensive report has been made public about the incident. That they’re satisfied and they’ve consulted an independent expert on this.
Should they fail to be proactive, rather allow this incompetent government to convince them to return would be their own demise. The consequences of any future disaster, the blood will be their hands.
Stop this nonsense of “let’s wait and see” mentality and please don’t allow possible disasters happening which
The people are too partisan, they would sacrifice their own lives for one idiot.
Later, call Matt and cry crocodile tears like they’re really sadden.
Dominican, please please please, don’t gather for any kind of activity on any of those buildings built by the Chinese.
These buildings are a disaster waiting to happen.
DNO: please publish my comments because our people needs to know about what is happening in this…
The Chinese had nothing to do with this disaster .. Stop the racist nonsense
So you think the construction company dunce like Ibo and UWP?The only set of people who keep making the same foolish mistakes over and over again,they are too foolish to learn.That ERC statement came strait from Saverine McKenzie.
Dominicans owe a monumental.depth of gratitude to the Electoral Reform Coalition (ERC). This organisation is the strongest advocate for good governance. They have taken their civic duties solemnly.
For the Roosevelt’s regime to resume construction on this severely compromised building is nothing short of depraved recklessness. Would he put his children through this?
Dominicans Arise! Boot the rascal in chief and his devotees to political oblivion.
It beggars belief that work has resumed without the findings of the firm appointed to investigate the collapse, together with the structural integrity of other work on site, being released to the public.
I give credit to the Electoral Reform Coalition for pursuing the matter.