The National Youth Rally held at the Windsor Park Sports Stadium on Friday was the background for Minister of Education Octavia Alfred’s announcement that Dominica is “very close” to realizing Universal Early Childhood Education.”
“We attained universal, primary and secondary education and we are very close in realizing Universal Early Childhood Education,” she said. “Dominica now issues National Vocational Qualification (NVQs) certification which meets CANTA’s standards and is recognized by all CARICOM countries.”
In addition to financial assistance, the government awards merit-based scholarships and facilitates fully funded scholarships from government bodies and organizations.
Directly addressing the students, she advised them to acquaint themselves with the development that is ongoing in Dominica, so that they can align their dreams with available opportunities.
“You must be ready to work in the jobs, the new international airport, the aerial tram, the marina, hotel and construction industry, the digital blue and green economy, and the geothermal projects, all these jobs that are being provided while these are under construction, and the jobs that will be provided after completion.”
Alfred continued, “You must be the one to administer, manage, and offer services at these facilities.”
Furthermore, Alfred encouraged students to be patriotic and give a clear indication of their commitment to the development of Dominica’s culture and its heritage, “ …make a personal decision today, to embrace all opportunities, to develop your abilities, talent, and skills and use what you have well.”
She also encouraged them to develop patience, courage, faith, loyalty, honesty, endurance, determination, and diligence.
Meanwhile, Alfred noted that last year Dominica improved in all national and regional assessments.
“We celebrate the improvement in male performance in all assessments,” she said. “Dominica received 85.3 percent pass at CSEC/CXC…with above regional average in 30 out of the 32 subjects taken. We received a 92 percent pass in the 13 TVET subjects taken.”
She added, “In the CCLSC [Caribbean Certificate of Secondary Level Competence] Dominica received 88.4 pass in English and 82.2 percent pass in Mathematics.”
Alfred indicated that these results serve as a testament to what we have achieved together and a reminder of the work that still lies ahead.
“Each data point tells a story of progress, the challenges faced, and the unwavering spirit of those committed to nurturing the minds of our future leaders,” she explained.
Alfred went on to state, “Our goal is not to measure success by the grades attained, but to continually improve and adapt ensuring that our education system serves the needs of all students and prepares them for a future full of possibilities.”
She expressed confidence that the youth can transform Dominica, as actors in the achievement of sustainable development, resilience, and fighting the effects of climate change.
“We work to establish pathways to tackle the issues you face and we are focused on giving you what we wish we had as young people, but we could not afford,” Alfred said.
Various students were presented with awards for excellence in academics and sports. Others received awards for community involvement and leadership.
This minister is a dinosaur. She doesn’t even know how to send an email. She has made so many unfulfilled promises to decorate her ego. The education system under her watch relies mostly on teaching by rote. Hardly any critical thinking goes on in the classroom.
Is election around the corner? It appears so. I realise that each of the slothful ministers is touting some sort of grandiose project in their ministries.Don’t be fooled.
If a politician found he had cannibals among his constituents, he would promise them missionaries for dinner. They make promises of which they have no intention of keeping.