Despite suggestions from the public that schools should be closed due to the spread of the dreaded Coronavirus (COVID-19), Prime Minister Roosevelt Skerrit has said schools will remain open in Dominica.
He made the announcement during a press briefing held on Thursday.
“There have been suggestions from the public on the closure of schools and I appreciate that suggestion. There are merits to it, but there are also challenges to it,” Skerrit said. “School is not only a place you go to learn to read and write and do arithmetic, but you also have another challenge. And so we have decided to hold back the closure of schools and to use the opportunity of students attendance of school to educate them.”
He pointed out that keeping the children in school will enable them to go through drills of washing their hands and sanitary practices, “so that if we have the students going back home and educating their grandparents, their parents, brothers and sisters, then we can certainly overcome the challenge.”
According to Skerrit, if students are sent home before the Easter vacation, “how will the families in Dominica be able to provide the homecare required for the children while they are at work?”
To every decision made by the government, he said, there are other things to consider.
“However, if the need arises, then certainly, we will make the decision to close schools,” the Prime Minister said. “But we are mindful of the implications of closing schools.”
There are currently no reported cases of the coronavirus (COVID-19) in Dominica.
Meantime, at a special meeting of the OECS Authority and the Monetary Council of the Eastern Caribbean Currency Union (ECCU) held recently, Heads of Government agreed on the need to close schools in the OECS until after Easter in order to safeguard children from any contamination.
The Meeting was called by Chairman of the Monetary Council and Prime Minister of Grenada, Dr. the Rt. Hon. Keith Mitchell, to discuss the COVID-19 situation and its impact on the OECS.
According to information from pressroom.oecs.org it was noted that the OECS Ministers of Education, in collaboration with the Education Development Management Unit (EDMU) at the OECS Commission, were actively exploring the use of online learning as a means of ensuring continuity of learning during the interregnum. Heads further noted that Notesmaster and CXC should be engaged in this process.
It also stated that the Authority also received a report from the recent OECS Council of Ministers of Education Meeting, where the OECS Director General was mandated to engage the Vice Chancellor of the University of the West Indies (UWI) on the possible repatriation of OECS students (at their own cost) to their home countries given the closure of classes at UWI; and to request that consideration be given to the sitting of their exams, under invigilated conditions, at Open Campus locations in their home territory.
It make no sense to ask for social distancing while keeping schools open. the covid19 will spread like wild fire if schools remain open.
A foolish debate. There are ZERO cases on the island. The debate should be on how to maintain zero local infection. Giant China with numerous airports now has ZERO new local infections per day, despite having numerous INFECTED people arrive from outside its borders every day!!! How? Every person arriving in China is put in a government watched 14 DAY QUARANTINE. Follow China’s example or suffer like the USA and EU. The right policy right now is to implement a 14 DAY QUARANTINE ON ALL NEW ARRIVAL TO DOMINICA.
What is all the fuss about all the people most of them live in the U .S. A like Dodds and myself and we heard that there is the virus. They are not closing schools in the entire US .
Only the state that are heavily contaminated.so I agree with the leader of the country to keep an open mind and let the kids learn. If there is no virus why should we panic.
Wallace, are you sure you know what you are talking about?
They are closing entire school districts since last week!
I know of three States which are on complete lock down; including the State of California, where I reside, and Illinois.
If the governor ordered that the people of California remain isolated by us not leaving our homes unless there is an emergency, or some other drastic cause, why would they leave the campuses operational!
If is one thing; I don’t know is how to perpetrate a lie.
I do not know where you reside in America, but be informed that words out of the White House by a spokes person just informed the nation that the lock down of America will last between eight (8) and ten (10) weeks.
All the giant grocery stores are rationing food and water too!
Dods; (Francisco Etienne-Dods Telemaque) is not a liar, everything I ever wrote on DNO can be verified.
‘Except, when I am calling corrupted Roosevelt nasty names: that is different.’
Hope you are prepared for the consequences of not closings schools and boarders. You have put thousands at risk for not taking the necessary precautions. Understand: P.M; the life of every Dominican is in your hands. Precaution is always better than cure.
Look at smirk face… he’s fooling all you again.
It is better to he proactive rather than being reactive…Dominica and Dominicans are the best.
There are no confirmed cases. We do not know for certain wether there are cases. But if neighbouring islands are infected then do the maths.
When should you pick up ur clothes from the line? Is it when you see the rain coming on the horizon, or when it has began falling.
the prime minister is gambling with our children lives this is BS
All you voted for him as little as 3 month ago! I have no sympathy for all you. Finally you all get what you deserve!
time one child cough the whole damn class will get sick … ******* alone that does go on in that country.
the point is to stop them from getting it before hand not when it reach n by that time half of the children are sick.
online schooling can work cause atm half of them worlds population is doing it
mister dun use his brain to think . all neighboring islands have the disease who is Dominica to not get it ?
this man should start to take precaution now
talking bout teaching kids how to wash hand like please our parents taught us that the children of other countries tried that n still got sick (unfortunately which is sad)
lets see how long this foolishness will last
always like to wait last minute …….
Why are people so eager for Skerrit to shut down de country? I’m not his supporter but I agree with him. No corona here so y panic? Why all this fear mongering? Why? Because you ‘fraid you die? We were born to die, if you want to live life like crazy people with a tin foil hat on, then do you. If you want to lock yourself and your kids indoors for the next 6 months because you hear corona here and aint never gonna leave, then do you. You can die from crossing the street or saying the right thing to the wrong person, so if fraid allu fraid, just place allu self in de bush and refrain for socializing with people. That includes posting allu opinions. Keep it to allu self.
And I’m here thinking isn’t Skerrit supposed to be the dictator here- and people begging for marital law? Boy what a country.
There are no confirmed cases. We do not know for certain wether there are cases. But if neighbouring islands are infected then do the maths.
When should you pick up ur clothes from the line? Is it when you see the rain coming on the horizon, or when it has began falling.
I pick up de clothes when dey dry or if night time coming- I’m guess you the type to pick up wet clothes cuz you fraid dey get wet. One way or the other the sun will eventually shine and my clothes will dry so that not something i stress on.
Remember Maria? Most people act today like it never happened. Becuz time heals all wounds. In time this virus will pass and man will live on and all will be forgotten. Like how yellow fever wiped out 90% of central American indians, or the Spanish flu killed 50mil+. In a year people will find something else to stress about so dont have people have u like juju.
We’ll keep ours to ourself and please keep yours to yourself as well.
u shouldn’t talk u only sound stupider
Is Pioneer open? The school your children go to well close but you exposing teachers and students in public schools to this virus and you’re talking about they will learn sanitary practices at school. Teachers will tell the children no hugs but they run to hug you as their teacher because children will be children.. …………..
Teachers and students have to be trained on the different modes of on- line learning where teachers send assignments to students and students complete and send back to teachers before he can close schools. If that is not done and the PM closes school what are they going to do at home. Do the students and teachers have computers at home to do such. People we cannot follow states and territories where they are well equipped with technology and teachers are trained to use different modes of on-line learning like reminds and schoology.
There are times we have to put or differences aside and take the best advice to bring about a solution, it would be wise to listen to the honorable Lennox Linton, he is the only one making sense as to best practices preparedness and has a solution. So far the government has not come up with anything substantial, only endangering people lives, like this thing is a joke.
Roosevelt stands there with his stupid silly smirk on his face like the Crapaud mentality he is; talking fart about school will remain open.
If Dominicans allow themselves to follow an ignorant man advise, and risks their life, and the life’s of their children in order to please some ignorant man, then they all deserve to die!
There is no question in my mind, that Roosevelt Skerrit is not informed of the devastating effect this disease has caused in places such as Italy; ………..
Roosevelt had better understand there are more than forty (40) million people, including me living in the State of California; they estimated that more than 60% of the people will get infected.
Right this minute we the people are ordered not to leave our homes!
We are all in quarantine!
Mr Prime minister Skerrit, I fully understand school should remain open in Dominica on till further notice those who asking for school to close do not know what on about and irresponsible. But the other thing I would like to know is when are you going to shut down Q95radio Station or revoke their broadcasting licence on till they can clean up their mess all they gives is fake News and propaganda rubbish to their illiterate followers most of us is fed up with that nonsense please do something about it!!!
Fools rush in when and where Angeles fear!
You and Roosevelt got your none-commonsense from the same source; as a matter of fact you and Roosevelt might be one of the same person!
And if that’s the case, I see why you in one day went from a can’t read, can’t spell idiot, to a Cambridge, Yale, and Notre Dame University graduate and scholar!
You are so smart, even you show better commonsense than the other part of you suggesting Roosevelt should have said schools will remain open until further notice.
Good Day Mr Francisco, I hope all is well! I am please that you having a good time on – Dominica news online at a difficult time like this anyway I sincerely hope you stay well after all who will I have to banter with good luck my man.
Well, you Man Dog (Roosevelt Skerrit) do not think the time is difficult you know; all is always well in Dominica!
We do not have any problems in Dominica as long as we have a corrupted god Skerrit as prime minister.
When the Soviet Union existed, the communists czars told their supporters to the day the Berlin Wall was broken down by the people that there was no problem in the Soviet Union; until the very day the system collapsed.
On the day the communists fell, many of the generals ( the master dictators) who held people in bondage, assassinated themselves by shooting themselves in their head!
Okay, Okay!
No Corona virus in Dominica McIntyre claimed, Roosevelt said Schools will remain open.
Roosevelt quoted ten (10,000.00) thousand face mast gift to China. How many does he have to distribute among Dominicans?
There are none left in America!
Doctors are beginning to revert to used and expired face masks, and getting sick with the virus in the performance of…
Well if you fed up why you listening? that’s your choice, your option. Exercise your right to freedom of choice and listen to what you think is REAL news.
From the usual Barking, biting, woof woof Man Bites Dogs. And he barks the following:
“…….the other thing I would like to know is when are you going to shut down Q95radio Station or revoke their broadcasting licence ….” That is hypocritical language…..That is not going to happen, you silly biting little boy. You just stick to biting the fleas of these Dirty Dogs…please keep them to yourself. You know why, because your are really low and not intellectual into the real decency and knowledge of good governance. Skerrit himself and his team are weak on this also and he picks up barking dogs and those who bites fleas and other matters.
We have been crying for decency and honesty in our government and we expect the leader of any political party in government to understand this and apply according that accompanies our people and not turn them in to beggars through this corrupted Red Clinic Bobol of failed Skerrit, ably supported by his blind loyalists and failed Labour Party.
“I would like to know is when are you going to shut down Q95radio Station or revoke their broadcasting licence on till they can clean up their mess all they gives is fake News and propaganda”.
Well, I really did not recognise that this guy is so idiotic in his thoughts and extreme mishaps. You better stop biting dogs -woof and be this human being again to talk English because all you do is bark woof woof Rubbish and you bark and run for that corrupt Labour bone from your failed master Skerrit.
One more thing Mr. Woof Woof, stop your barking nonsense, we are in 2020 and therefore get rid of your fake political fleas, who fly around you. Show me your company, we will tel you who you really are!? This waste of time blind loyalists’ of Skerrit. Nothing good of intelligence to say about our Dominica but barks when Skerrit tells him to Bark and go bite his dig for him. How distasteful and ignoramous. Wake up and be a man, Skerrit is not that mentor to anyone, so go get a life and…
……….. When the virus is spreading he will react with panic. The man is useless but he needs to be clear that this time he is gambling with people’s lives!
This man has no regards for the safety of our people. The point is not to close schools in the case of a confirmed Covid-19 case, it’s to prevent the spread of a possible covid-19 case should a case get to our boarders. Meanwhile, by the time he makes that decision, many Dominicans will already be exposed to the virus and we will all have to wait it out and hope our elderly and sick survive this pandemic. Mr. Prime minister, how do we work and send our children to school during summer? Are we not still at work while our kids are at home? And how is it possible to tell me as a parent that I cannot teach my child and my family how to wash their hands? Are you calling me dumb? I am more afraid of allowing my family to go to the hospital than of them getting the virus and this is all thanks to you and your misuse of our money. If this becomes an issue in our country, it will be 100% your fault. ………….
Dear Honorable PM, the excuse of a woman having 5 children, that you gave, is a lame excuse. If you had said that so far there are no reported cases so you have not yet given the instructions to shut down schools, I would have understood…. ” a bit”. The welfare of the nation is of paramount importance. Erica was the first warning, you did not listen. Maria came you still did not listen, in fact we got worst. Covid-19 is the real deal, nobody can help nobody. This is not going away anytime soon. My PM you better humble yourself
I have a responsibility to keep my children safe…..I will keep them safe from dat virus.
I will do what I think is best for my children…. I really can’t trust you.
Your children safe I’m sure.
I will take action to secure mine.
Bus drivers taking action without your advice.
And I have friends at the hospital who gives me up to date information. You have a hatred for me through my parl rep. I could never trust you.
Do you recall the exact number of new DLP offices which opened up just for election vote buying????
You cannot repeat that same effort?
That’s why I can never trust you!!!!
My children have health insurance and they safe….far far far away from your influence.
“OECS Ministers of Education, in collaboration with the Education Development Management Unit (EDMU) at the OECS Commission, were actively exploring the use of online learning as a means of ensuring continuity of learning during the interregnum.”
As an educational technologist, I think that would be a difficult challenge to meet quickly. You need to ensure all students have adequate computers and Internet connectivity to participate fully, and teachers need training and access to expert support in order to do a decent job at it. I have confidence in our teachers and those who support them, but going online is not an overnight transition, as many schools districts in the U.S. are finding out now.
Well, the PM of Grenada, who is a very close friend of Skerrit, took a decision to close his schools though no one in Grenada has been infected. He said his reason for doing that is because he doesn’t want to “Gamble with the lives of his people”. So, is Skerrit gambling with the lives of his people?
#2. Maybe Skerrit lacks wisdom
3. Skerrit needs to learn that it is better to be proactive than to react like we did after Erika and Maria.
4. Skerrit needs to be taught by the ants as seen in Proverbs 30: 24-25:
24On this earth four things
are small but very wise:
25Ants, who seem to be feeble,
but store up food
all summer long;
Share brilliance. First of all you respect the Chair and not the person,so therefore,you addressed the person as mr or mrs.In this case Mr. Skerrit please. You have to be familiar to control. From the age of 5 the children play the head of the home.Children carry the money whilst parents carry the bags.They learn from school and take it home to the parents. Well done mr.PM YOU really know your people.
He surely lacks “Maybe Skerrit lacks wisdom…” and many more too…….He is this failed Prime (Odd) Minister and lack leadership foresight. this man Skerrit is killing our Dominica, or already almost has. We really need him and this failed co0rruoted Labour government must Go. We need new election where our more distinguished, intellectual, decent politicians and a Mature Political Party,, with sound leadership (UWP) is well able to guide us forward professionally, decency and intellectually. This Skerrit and his failed Labour government has destroyed our people, our resources and our social- economic Develpoment forum.
Too much Bobol going from this Skerrit`s failed ridiculous Labour government.
We need decent, trusted, mature, intellectual government and that Skerrit is unable to give and offer us. He Skerrit has failed us big time. Killed our agriculture and now selling our passports like mad, answers? We welcome Hon Linton and his trusted, decent United Workers` Party…
Lmao. The simplistic feeble arguments coming from the PM is amazing. Where are the tablets that were given out a dew years ago so they can do online classes orchestrated by the MOE. Where is the minister responsible for education to decide what is best for school. Skerrit is the minister of all ministry who decides everything. Dominicans really think we going anywhere with that crab in a barrel. Well for next few weeks your students will be hand washing experts.
One must admit the only reason the children are kept in school is because soon there will cricket and we need to give them a pass to the Windsor park stadium to full up the seats.
Have we not heard or do we not understand one of the best way to avoid this contagious virus IS BY AVOIDING LARGE CROWDS
People of Dominica keep this in mind the hospital and medical care in Dominica is so advance , that whenever any government minister has a cold they fly to Barbados and the USA for treatment leaving the most advance facility with the most modern equipment in the Caribbean to seek medical care elsewhere.
ASK YOURSELVES THE QUESTION, AN GIVE YOURSELF THE ANSWER!!!!!!!!!!
How we did it after Maria? When parents left their children home for months while they went to work?
You, Mr. Prime Minister, have no control over my family and will not be making any decisions in my home. On that note, my child will not be going to school until this covid-19 thing is almost or completely over. Thank you for having my child’s safety at heart. God this is your world, not theirs.
This man has no regards for the safety of our people. The point is not to close schools in the case of a confirmed Covid-19 case, it’s to prevent the spread of a possible covid-19 case should a case get to our boarders. Meanwhile, by the time he makes that decision, many Dominicans will already be exposed to the virus and we will all have to wait it out and hope our elderly and sick survive this pandemic. Mr. Prime minister, how do we work and send our children to school during summer? Are we not still at work while our kids are at home? And how is it possible to tell me as a parent that I cannot teach my child and my family how to wash their hands? Are you calling me dumb? I am more afraid of allowing my family to go to the hospital than of them getting the virus and this is all thanks to you and your misuse of our money. If this becomes an issue in our country, it will be 100% your fault. And I hope, like all the rest of us, you are left in this island to deal with like every one…
” Man biting dogs” , you cannot be human, I think the dogs should retaliate and bite you.
Beast of burden.
[He pointed out that keeping the children in school will enable them to go through drills of washing their hands and sanitary practices, “so that if we have the students going back home and educating their grandparents, their parents, brothers and sisters, then we can certainly overcome the challenge.”]
That man is dumb, an EXTREMELY DUMB individual. Just listen to how ludicrous this man’s reasoning looks and sounds.
Is Skerrit taking instructions from ‘a certain somebody or somebodies’ in Barbados?
The authority in Barbados are putting guidelines in place to safeguard their citizens, they at least have a plan, so if DA authority would be taking instruction from anyone in Barbados, that instruction would NOT be in keeping with what Barbados is doing.
In any case, why would that be. We should be independent of any other country and their control, our country is OUR country and we should decide whats done and not done. Anything short of this is sabotage, unwarranted interference, and we need to hold our leaders responsible. If they are not capable of deciding what needs to be done, and how situations need to be handled, they are NOT qualified to be our leaders, and should therefore step aside.
The powers that be are trying extremely hard to tell us that there are no reported cases of Corona in Dominica, The MOH ( who has a problem with the truth), An epidemiologist (The only such public pronouncement by an individual in that capacity in the Caribbean), and the Prime Minister (whose idea of the truth may differ from yours and mine). So let us assume that they are telling the truth, there would be no logic in school closure. Corona is not home grown! If we have none in Dominica, life should be allowed to continue as normal. Ignore the active desire of Grenada to be in the news-Rolling out a series of policies that are totally uncalled for and shows ignorance of the science.
Because another country has done it, it does not mean that we should jump on the wagon. Look at the circumstances for which those actions were taken, understand that the intention was to contain the spread of the virus, If it is not on the island, there is nothing to contain. The PM has gotten this…
I totally agree that schools remain open once the vrus is not here…children are vulnerable when sent home..who wiĺl provide homecare…those children will be doing so many things whilst no supervision they better off at school eh…the country is on a hype because of false rumours. Once they see ambulance they checking is corona…people in container is corona….people in suits is corona..damn dumminicans….they must be quarantine.to make sure is not the virus. Allu too fast to spread false news…virus allu want eh when allu get it allu will hush allu mouth when it at allu home…lets pray for Gods mercy and draw nearer to him . Children learn at school and encourage your parents to buy allu immune booster and take it ok…boom
Boom? You foolish individual! I wonder how much you got from your master for dishing out nonsense?
Ok, When I went to school we used to have assemble of the entire school on the courtyard.
So lets imagine just one child in the midst with the virus, is it worth it that the child go home and teach grown ups how to wash their hands? that’s really the benefits of children going to school?
smh
I hope the p m. Children are at school too. Hmmmm