Students start new school year with orientation this week, says education minister

Education Minister Octavia Alfred has announced that her ministry welcomed over 4000 secondary school students and over 5000 primary school students this week for the new academic year.

“This week, students are engaging in orientation at all levels,” she said during a statement. “Newcomers are being oriented with the school culture to include the school song, the motto, the mission statement, the environment, and teachers will also engage the new students in activities to help discover their learning styles.”

According to Alfred, students who are continuing are also oriented with the expectation of their new class level.

She said officials from the Ministry of Education were on the ground on Monday, and from all reports, schools generally had a smooth opening.

“Most schools are fully staffed,” she stated. “We are only now receiving some resignations and arrangements are being made to deploy staff in the few areas where this is necessary.”

As it relates to education reform, Alfred said some of these changes will be small adjustments, some will be new, while others will be reinstating specific practices.

“All this is in an effort to build more wholesome students who will be ready to contribute to nation building while living a happy adult life,” she noted. “The process will mostly be at the primary schools, and all schools will receive a handbook on community service, since all students at all levels are expected to engage in community service.”

Alfred continued, “The civics curriculum will be introduced at all primary schools.”

She went on to state that other changes will range from how assembly is being conducted, health and wellness, food security, financial education, and clubs, “and we are placing special emphasis this year on the visual performing arts.”

Additionally, she said her ministry expects to have more collaboration with other ministries in this process, especially the Ministry of Health, Ministry of Agriculture, and Ministry of Environment.

She thanked all parents, principals, teachers, and the Ministry of Education officials for their efforts.

“We have had some really great success stories, but we still have a long way to go, and we are going to go that way together,” Alfred asserted.

Meanwhile, Alfred announced that the sewerage works at the Dominica Grammar School were expected to take two days however, the time has been extended because of unforeseen circumstances.

“However, we are working with the contractor to have sufficient space for students to do their orientation next week,” she revealed. “And the expectation is that all students will be in from 8:00 AM to 1:00 PM, after orientation while work will continue on the school in the afternoon.”