Prime Minister Roosevelt Skerrit has reiterated a call for Educational Reform in Dominica.
He was addressing a recently held stakeholder consultation on Curriculum Reform at the Goodwill Parish Hall.
“I have been an advocate for education reform for a very long time, even when I taught at schools, there is no student who could get an ‘A’ in my class, whether it was at the Portsmouth Secondary School or at the college without class participation,” he said. “Twenty-five [percent] of my grade went to class participation.”
He continued, “You had to speak, you had to do research, you had to listen to news, you had to give impromtu speeches or prepared speeches, you must ask questions, you must answer questions, you must engage.”
The prime minister emphasized that he always told students that 99 percent of their engagement in the public domain is through oral means, “not written.”
“Nobody is going to ask you to write a 600-word essay. They are going to ask you to speak and they are going to ask you to be there to engage and to hear from each other,” Skerrit explained. “So there is a need for us to have a change in the system, so that we can continue to produce students who can compete in the world, students who can survive in a very difficult world…”
In May 2025, the Prime Minister described the current model as outdated and detrimental to students’ development. An OPM release shared that the PM indicated at a press conference on Monday, May 26, that there are plans for an overhaul.
During the press conference, Prime Minister Skerrit criticized the existing educational structure, particularly citing the curriculum for primary school students, which he described as “ridiculous” for its breadth of up to 13 subjects. He proposed a more streamlined curriculum focused on core subjects such as English, Mathematics, Social Studies, History, and Social Science. Additionally, he emphasized the importance of practical life skills, including agriculture, carpentry, art, and civics.
In his remarks, Skerrit highlighted the shortcomings of the current system, stating, “We’re not building a culture of collaboration. We’re not building a culture of cooperation. We’re not building students with analytical skills and critical thinking and comprehension.” He stressed the need for an educational approach that recognizes the diverse learning styles, talents, and intelligences of students.
The statement also said that the Prime Minister underscored the importance of extracurricular activities, such as music and sports, as avenues for fostering teamwork and collaboration among children. He warned against allowing another school year to pass in what he described as “depressing situations” for students, warning that failure to reform the system could result in the loss of an entire generation.
According to Skerrit, the education system must adapt to contemporary realities, including technological advancements and the rise of artificial intelligence, to better prepare students for the future.
Gason my only comment to Roosevelt Skerrit and anything that man says is a Hugh Stupes
I have been advocating for the immediate revamping of the present education system. However, with a supremely unqualified person at the apex of government, and a dinosaur as the Minister of Education, this is very questionable.
Every student should leave secondary school with a marketable skill. The present system is far too skewed toward the academically inclined. Too many students entering first form are exiting school before fifth form. Most are leaving without achieving five CSEC passes with Math and English.
Change is the law of life. And those who look only to the past or present are certain to miss the future.
John F. Kennedy
You had your chance, you know. Instead, you spent it gossiping, fighting, and investing in Ma Boyd. Go hold your seat in a corner, Ibo!
I am in favour of educational reform, but this empty headed, egotistical showman called Skerrit, needs a script writer. Is Hartley Henry dead?
What does he mean by noone could get an ‘A’ in his class? You were a very INSECURE teacher, or an empty barrel? Does Skerrit even have a university degree? I would be highly SHOCKED if that is the case.
Were you short changing students? The statement has exposed your shortcomings, and inadequacies in the area of work you served as a so called teacher. You lacked confidence in the subject matter. Most likely you feared an educateď person would see your grading and criticize it.
When you garble nonsensicalities, be careful. People are listening to you.
STUPID/WICKED..Get a script writer ASAP. If i were a journalist maybe you would have to curse me, because you rubbish would be challenged at all times.
MEME is in favour of educational reform.
I agree absolutely.
Recently, I was just thinking of the many prominent persons who are today, business men, business owners, because of the “technical wing”, exposure – at the Dominica Grammar School (DGS). Why was this important aspect of learning discontinued.? Can it be returned now?