Education Minister, Octavia Alfred, said she believes that the Kalinago Territory has improved over the years.
Her comments follow statements made by a student of the Lead Institute, Whitney Leah Melinard, who, through a video on social media, said the lack of internet access in the Kalinago Territory may be another example of implicit systemic racism against that community.
During a press conference at the Financial Centre on Tuesday, Alfred said she disagrees with Melinard’s statement.
“I don’t think we should sit there and behave as if it’s the first time we hear kinds of things like that, this is not the first time and when we check the background, this is not true,” the Education Minister stated… “The student doesn’t even live in the Kalinago Territory for one, so I wouldn’t even go there.”
Alfred is of the view that if a review has to be done on what has gone on in the Kalinago Territory over the past 10 years, “we will see how much resources that have been spent in this area.”
“If we have to count the number of students who went away to study, we will see that it has never been so before,” Alfred argued. “If we have to look at the performance of students from this area, we will know that unlike last year, in the CXC, in the top, there were students from this area.”
Alfred said that sometimes, people who do not live “in the reality of what’s going on” can make certain statements, pointing out that “we too can go back and research.”
“Let us go back to what Kalinago Territory used to be and what it is now and then we maybe can place some value,” she suggested.
Meanwhile, Alfred said that hotspots were made available outside of the schools in the Kalinago Territory and students are taking advantage of those hotspots.
anti-kalinago racism and de marginalisation of de carib people in Dominica is famous…it just plain to see. Even dem overseas visitors aka the Chinese and Lokono of Suriname who bear superficial resemblance to the Kalinago Amerindian have been discriminated, denied services, called savages or monkeys in their face….right here in Roseau every day. The Kalinago are among the most persecuted minorities in the world and the Labour Party just keep shrinking their territory. This wickedness must end!
Where are the millions that Hugo Chavez promised for the betterment of the Kalinago people in exchange for Bird Island to Venezuela? How come Labour Party people doan use that money to provide proper internet access to the Kalinago territory and give dem back their land? Land back for the Kalinago!
“ack of internet access in the Kalinago Territory may be another example of implicit systemic racism against that community. ”
Although, I am not a supporter of Roosevelt Skerrit, or any of his puppets acolytes, called ministers; I must say I find it very unfair, to criticize this woman as many people has done!
If I have to be honest about it; there has been plenty of improvement on the Caribbean Indian Reservation, many of that took place within the less than four (4) years of the UWP tenure; prior to that the conditions on the Reservation was depressing.
That is not my argument; what disgust me is the nonsense in the quote: “implicit systemic racism against that community;” that is indeed a very stupid argument.
This girl, woman or what have you listens to American Television, and since people are protesting systemic racism in America she hung on to the term talking as if there is such a thing in our country.
She’s looking for something free: free internet…
Telemaque you don’t understand because you did not read the news article–Internet Service in the Kalinga Territory–is the base of the message.
A young student complaining about not have Internet Service in that Territory, the young lady sounded as if her Territory of deprived of that services, because of who she and her people.(Elizabeth Xavier).
How can you say I do not understand because I did not read the article?
If there is telephone service anywhere on the Carib Reservation; there must be internet, and “WiFi” service existing there.
Now, when we talking about WiFi we are talking about a signal transmitted at a certain frequency, which is:
Wi-Fi frequencies and signal strength 5 GHz: 802.11a/n2.4 GHz: 802.11b/g/n
In some place, even in some homes the signal is weak.
To overcome that the Internet Provider installs towers to boost the signals; you need to know what we talking about!
And just in case you doh know; I is part Carib Indian (Kalingago) too!
Its a pity that the people who are expected to teach our students are the ones who are showing them the wrong way. Absolutely no decorum from this Education Minister. How can you resolve anything by displaying such vile and arrogant disposition. This lady is not worthy to hold such a position.
What an intolerable and obnoxious woman. Where does Skerrit get them from???
I have a lot of trouble understanding why people are blaming the Government for not having Internet Service in their territory.
It is like having a television at home and expecting the Government to pay for the “cable service”. Or taking up an apartment and expecting the government to pay the rent–what, in heaven’s name is this!
The Government of Dominica cannot tell the Internet Supplier where to install or plant their service–they make their own choice based on the condition of the place they want to plant that service. Those who take that service is responsible to pay for it.
These are the situations that could affect the plan of the Supplier– the reason they would not plant that service in some places. It is their investment, not that of the Government
In Toronto alone, there are hundreds of Cable and Internet Suppliers everywhere, we choose our supplier; they pay the taxes to the Government from our payments to them–that is all.
Elisabeth, you dense or what. This internet service is to help young people follow their education on line. The government itself think this is a good thing. It is a service to promote education, a service to help advance our people so I do not see how it can be wrong for government to subsidise it, it is an investment in our young people future and that is a good thing.
Guy shut up, so what the hell; because education is involved Roosevelt must hand everything even internet service to them on a silver platter?
The reason for this dependency on government for everything is all because of corruption in the country; and you all are to ignorant to see what is talking place under the rule of Roosevelt Skerrit.
There are no industries in the country, government cannot employ the general population; hence more than 95% of our country potential workers does not have a chance of ever finding a job; their parents are jobless, hence they do not have any spending power.
Although Internet and WiFi service are available on the island, if an individual does not have the resources (money) to pay for internet service their children education could be derailed!
And that is the Dominica reality.
Nevertheless, the rubbish (fart) about systemic racism in Dominica is extremely foolish!
Bourgeoisie-ism, victimization corruption do exist; It is ludicrous…
You so empty on every comment like Francisco, you didn’t realize what you read, if you read it at all or went straight to the comments. The young lady was really addressing the service providers, and gave props to MOE. Even Francisco got it,… he will give you your business soon, and teach you how to do some quick research.
It is not only this time I got it; I am always above, and way beyond it!
I am above the politics of the day; try and do not compare me to anyone else; read my comments see if you understand my thoughts before you try categorize me.
Well, (I doh supporting eh, cause you an me is big arch enemy eh, all because of you son, that corrupted damn th… eh!)
Hahahahahahahahahaahahahah!
But anyway, the reason they believe that government “government Roosevelt Skerrit ” should provide them with internet, is because Roosevelt program their mind believing that he is god; hence they depend on him to personally dig the pit-hole which they squat over to defecate into.
Your boy (son) Roosevelt told Dominicans “when they ask God for something, and God takes long to give it to them when they come to me and beg, I give it to them right away.”(Roosevelt Skerrit.)
Dominicans like to beg, they want everything for free, they are oblivious to the fact that Cable and Wireless might be an IP.
Dominica Local Internet Service Providers (ISP) List Marpin 2K4 Ltd. is an Internet Service Provider in Dominica.
And has been way back when my friend Ron Abraham owned the station, before they Dominicans thief it from him!
“Wifi, Laptop, Smart-Phone, and all the others were still hidden in the head of Steve Job, Bill Gates, and the others.” (Elizabeth Xavier).
Elizabeth, you do not know what you talking about!
Elizabeth, Steve Job, and Bill Gates made no scientific, nor technical contribution in the development of WiFi.
For your information take a note of this.
In 1991 Wi-Fi was invented by NCR Corporation/AT&T (later on Lucent & Agere Systems) in Nieuwegein, the Netherlands.
Initially meant for cashier systems the first wireless products were brought on the market under the name WaveLAN with speeds of 1Mbps/2Mbps.
Now call me an ugly liar if you wish; but that above is the fact true; and correct.
Now even the smart phone thing came out of Israel, it was invented by someone in Israel a Jew; I will perhaps give a bit of credit to Steve Job, for improving on the design.
Stick to what you know little foot yellow woman!
Dominica is undoubtedly the poorest and most backward place on the planet; ignorance and the stupidity of the majority of us takes precedence over reason and the realities of life.
Anyone who believes that there is systemic racism in Dominica is nothing more than an idiot; in reality a fool!
There were no systemic racism under British rule.
So, the eight idiots who gave me thumbs down are insinuating that Dominica; of which more than ninety (90%) of our people are black: ruled by a completely black government:
Since our independence; has within 42 years of independence, systemically created a system of racism of Black on Black racism in the country!
There are no pure Caribs left, so all of us Dominicans discriminates against each other! Systemic racism can be defined as follows: Prejudice, discrimination, or antagonism directed against a person or people on the basis of their membership in a particular racial or ethnic group, typically one that is a minority or marginalized…
Min of education stop being arrogant and haughty. What about the Cuban students you have abandoned and is asking them to pay almost 3000 thousand dollars for a one way ticket from Cuba. Magwe sa. Why can’t you ask your government to assist the students.
That minister of education needs an education. She behaves just like a convent prep little girl.
Again, what do you expect from these morons?
What a weak, lame and ridiculous response by the education minister! It would have been best if she simply stayed quiet. A claim like this should be “refuted” with cold hard facts not this veiled attempt at attacking the young women.
“Education minister refutes claim of “systemic racism” made by Kalinago Territory student”
There is nothing in that quote above to be refuted by anyone; since there has never been “systemic racism” built into Dominica society, not even in the colonial days! We heard old man prince Charles of England said “Dominicans are a resilient people; Roosevelt ran with that hence; Dominica became the first and only resilient nation on earth.
Since the murder of Floyd by a police in America; we heard the cry of systemic racism; which is a fact of life for Black people and other ethnic groups.
So, Dominicans heard that; picked it up and so we are now claiming systemic racism in Dominica.
Total nonsense!
Here’s what it entails.”
Systemic racism is both a theoretical concept and a reality. As a theory, it is premised on the research-supported claim that the United States was founded as a racist society, that racism is thus embedded in all social institutions, structures, and social…
Boy, oh boy!! It happens over and over, that when we get some position, we forget where we come from and that position goes to our head. The Massa actions, and sentiments have not left us because that’s what was handed down to us. Oppression, jealousy, revenge, hatred, unforgiveness, division and all of the above are in our psyche. The fact that many of us do not know who we are, we continue to transfer these negative actions toward each other. I also understand that having a so-called education further divides us because many of us have a tendency to despise those who did not attend these institutions of learning. I am not saying that we should not educate ourselves but we must also realise that we are all humans and we should never think that we are better than those who may be less fortunate. If one is an educator, his or her role is to educate the WHOLE person and not just to educate to get a job. Whatever your position in life, you should be an example and not an embarassment.
As a student I’m embarrassed by the words of the “minister of education”. What kind of response is that? What kind of example are you setting? Rather than addressing the young girl’s issue, you attack her like is one of your enemies. Come on now, the young lady have every right to voice her opinions on issues within her community. As the minister of education you should have supported this young lady for being so brave and speaking up for her community. Even though she doesn’t live there, that’s the best defense you could come up with? And obviously it is not the first time we are hearing things like this because the problem has never been effectively addressed. We do not need to be reminded of how kalinago used to be, So wait, we not progressing at all? How long must the people use the schools hotspot? stupes. Rather than humiliating yourself, you should have been working on methods to get internet to the kalinago people. The girl didn’t attack you, she simply voiced her concerns.
I concur. So disparaging.
This Evil woman even had the audacity to misquote the holy Bible by saying” we should not frustrate the grace of God? Lady, you are the one that frustrated the grace of God by joining with Skerrit simply for your love of money.
That just showing the limited mental capacity of this lady. No human being can frustrate God in any way whatsoever. God have no limited thinking like little human beings.
Why do you go about calling everyone evil simply because of your partisan political beliefs,Wow. I’m curious, why would you call yourself “The Evil one” are you proud to be known by that name. You are entitled to your political partisan beliefs that is fine, at the end of the day if you think you are hurting The PM or any other member of his cabinet by uttering such words in your comments it has no effect, but I will tell you this, always be watchful regarding your words and thoughts towards other people, have a nice day.
Mary, it’s you and your fellow red ants that have a partisan political belief. It’s either that or you are not right in your head. Just think, who on earth in their right mind would vote over and over for somebody who lies at them and steals of them. I’m not even gonna mention the word incompetence…
Man after that kind of response, no one can compare her to Austrie. Atleast the man would have given a sensitive response to the student. She thinks is a school yard fight. I always hear they say, bathe a pig and put it in a palace and it will still be a pig. What a disaster!! Where is Jono, I can just see him smiling…
This woman will go down in history as the worst person to occupy the seat of the Minister of Education. It shows this woman way of trying to be important, always opening her mouth and spewing garbage, people sometimes force to laugh to remove embarrassment from her uncouth utterances.
Because she shout out at principals and compared them to angry birds and they just sat there, she thinks she is embolden to demonstrate her evil attitude towards a student, that she is supposed to protect. The students of Dominica can easily see, this woman will not stand for them or do anything for them as she is paid to do. Remember she fooled the people of Castle bruce to make herself and family rich, “I dont know what a million dollar is na, but they ask me to go up”.
She just cannot accept a Kalinago student is so well articulated and one who is pursuing a law degree and one who will be a brilliant lawyer. What were you thinking to make such a disgusting statement about the student’s abode.
This woman has always been so arrogant.
She has always thought herself to be above the rest.
She despises the people of CastleBruce.
She has said she does not like us.
What the hell were you all thinking when you voted for her.
All you say is Skerrit all you voting but Skerrit is not the Parl Rep
Zor toe sot
Take what all you get and doh complain
Don’t be surprised if she spit on all you
our leaders have such small brains I sometimes wonder how they got there. ooops. i know. what you should do is put the girl to shame if that’s what you want to do by fixing the problem and not bashing her. arent you minister for the youth? set a ____ example. she doesnt even live there doesn’t you say. are you _____ serious? how much smaller can your mind get? cant she speak on behalf of her clan? maybe you should take a page from her book. doesn’t she have a right to voice her opinion? I think we teach them in primary school that they have a right to be heard. check your curriculum. minister. go fix the dam problem and stop making more problems. shame on you and shame on al the people who support you on this shameful speech
So you must be living in the community to make appeal for your people but you don’t have to be living in the community or on the island to be allowed to put a rogue government on our backs?
This person at that level has missed a perfect opportunity to look into the status of an educational tool for the kid and nation at large. Once she start taking like Justina Charles she begins the maypwi to salè the school child instead of earning her position I’m not surprised. How and where do they get or train these political hacks, have you heard her speak? Pure justina style.
Maybe you all who support the nonsense that this woman is saying should talk to teachers at CBSS or people in the constituency. Furthermore, the **** that come from this woman’s mouth when she speaks, it’s incredible that she’s the Minister of EDUCATION in a country that’s already losing majority of it’s educated citizens because of lack of proper jobs and decent salaries.
Hmmm.
Unlike white Americans, who can usually trace their lineage directly back to Europe….we black Dominicans are I think are mostly mixed race people.
Meaning that those of us who think we are just black, most likely have European AND Kalinago ancestors.
Let us please not make the mistake of white America and treat our family as “other”….I am sure if we all take a proper look at our family tree; most of us have living relatives who are Kalinago.
I am not informed of the internet situation there, or what is being done. So I won’t comment either way on what the girl or the Minister said. But I would like to be optimistic. I would like to believe that we aren’t as racist as certain “other” countries are.
I am very disappointed in the Ministers response!! And I am very disappointed in the Kalinago Chief and Minister of Kalinago Upliftment. Its our leaders responsibility to look into such issues and keep us inform on what the reasons are for the lack of internet service in the Kalinago Territory. I am also very disappointed in the service providers. If the service providers do not have enough funds to get the service up and running they need to start looking for other solutions to the problem. I never for one second thought the lack of internet had to do with systemic racism within the Kalinago Territory and I am from the Territory. So I am calling on the Minister of Kalinago upliftment and the Kalinago Chief to address this ongoing issue of internet service in the Kalinago Territory. Can you all please put aside you all’s political affiliations and stand up for us the Kalinago people….please…..please.
What an insensitive
we have for education minister. The girl doesn’t have to live in the territory at advocate for her ppl. If you were doing your job she maybe wouldn’t have to move out of her village.
Natural, with all the comments and criticism, you are the only one to make a bit of sense., by saying she is a girl .The minister does not tell her what to do, so what made her think she can tell the minister what to do? she could make a suggestion and if it valid, the minister may follow it through. with all the other comments, you cannot form a sentence. Sadly the girl try to climb a ladder by missing the first step. In her studies, there are rules and procedures that must be observed.
now it is a gender issue? did Ms. Melinard deny her gender…offcourse she is a girl and proud of that. Do you know your gender? stay focus, dont do like this woman. did she ever tell this woman what to do? and if so why not, she is a student and a girl or female in Dominica. and can you tell the people of Dominica how she missed the first step? she is definitely a girl and proud of that. she was addressing the internet providers but the other girl took up on herself to answer to have a girl fight.
Minister of Education, first I would like to say that you have shown a lack of ‘education’ in the way you handled this one. When engaging young minds, you must attempt to teach and mentor, not to be at war. You have missed the entire point of the post which was a great teaching moment. You have dishonored your ancestors, because you are clearly not white, neither are you black. If it is relevant that you mention the young lady does not reside in the territory, please be reminded that neither do you. That means, you are not qualified to refute her statements not are you qualified to make clarifications!! Are you getting it? You mentioned how far the territory has come. Did you expect them to remain in the dark ages? You mentioned how much resources was spent in the territory. Did you forget that your political party was buying votes? When someone points at a shortfall, it is an opportunity to resolve. It is an opportunity to show concern and fix it. Don’t insult young people!
In the famous words of our Prime Minister ‘weh, weh, weh,…yes I’ . The minister did not have to make herself come out sot so. The student brought up a valid Concern. The least you could do is say you will look into it. Everything is politics for these fools in government! Oh ghas man!
Whether it’s the Kalinago Territory or anywhere else in Dominica, the fact remains that we are one people and when there is anything going wrong we should not be ashamed to voice it once it affects us. The young sister is not making up a story but rather voicing exactly what’s happening. As an older person and Education minister, you should not take such offense at the truth. You, who are at the top, should be a source of encouragement and advice to the younger ones. But it seems like you have allowed your position to get to your head and behave like you are more important than anyone else. I have seen how you have also behaved in the past and it’s a shame!!!! It seems like you have arrived and that everyone else is beneath you. Stop acting like the slave who lived in the Plantation house during Massa’s days!!!
UNAPOLOGETIC
You know, give a person like her a bit of power accompanied with money and they go crazy and loose any sense of clear judgement. As far as she is concerned she is better now than all the rest of you. How dare you speak up against her and her Master! You see all these monsters you all create on election days…
What is Teacher Bony trying to say? You mean in this time of advance technology where everyone else in Dominica have internet in their homes Bony talking about hotpots outside of school. Teacher Bony the students need internet at their homes so that they can do their studies in a type of environment more conducive to learning. What do you expect them to do go by the school after hours to get a little internet like they are stealing something? Especially now in this era of Covid -19 when their is so much restrictions on movement? You must be crazy. If you are not able to address their concern on that matter that can give some assurance and comfort to the student, parents and teachers in the Kalinago Territory on how you can help solve their problem I suggest you keep your mouth shut until you have something to say on it.
What is Teacher Bony trying to say? You mean in this time of advance technology where everyone else in Dominica have internet in their homes Bony talking about hotpots outside of school. Teacher Bony the student need internet at their home so that they can do their studies in a type of environment more conducive to learning. What do you expect them to do go by the school after hours to get a little internet like they are stealing something? Especially now in this era of Covid -19 when their is so much restrictions on movement? You must be crazy. If you are not able to address their concern on that matter that can give some assurance and comfort to the student, parents and teachers in the Kalinago Territory on how you can help solve their problem I suggest you keep your mouth shut until you have something to say on it.
Henry, you are talking about Internet and the technology, it appears you are not very informed of how people obtain internet service in their homes. Perhaps you do not own a computer:
Are you familiar with the term “ISP?”
An Internet service provider (ISP) is an organization that provides services for accessing, using, or participating in the Internet.
Internet service providers can be organized in various forms, such as commercial, community-owned, non-profit, or otherwise privately owned.
Companies such as a telephone company, or Cable Television are the most common ISP; before WiFi the dial-up system was used, you needed a telephone in your home for that.
WiFi is typically used to access the internet on portable devices like smartphones, tablets; laptops, in actuality, WiFi itself is used to connect to a router or other access point which in turn provides the internet access.
WiFi is a wireless connection to that device, not the internet itself. Access to a
In Dominica, you all are like parasites depends on Roosevelt Skerrit for everything; the communication companies operating on the island are the people who should provide internet service all over the island, via fiberoptics or what ever means.
The person who requires such service should pay the IP for their service.
Note: The name WiFi, commercially used at least as early as August 1999, was coined by the brand-consulting firm Interbrand. The WiFi Alliance had hired Interbrand to create a name that was “a little catchier than ‘IEEE 802.11b Direct Sequence’.”
Phil Belanger, a founding member of the Wii Alliance who presided over the selection of the name “WiFi”, has stated that Interbrand invented Wii as a pun on the word hi-fi (high fidelity), a term for high-quality audio technology.
I don’t even understand the argument revolving around this no internet service in certain parts of the island.
Backwardness, and the dependency on Roosevelt, and wanting everything…
Telemaque you don’t understand because you did not read the news article–Internet Service in the Kalinga Territory–is the base of the message.
A young student complaining about not have Internet Service in that Territory, the young lady sounded as if her Territory of deprived of that services, because of who she and her people.
Your comment above is saying that people should not rely on the Government to give them internet service, I agree with you
It is up to the Internet Supplier–but maybe that service implementation would be too costly for them, as most people in that Territory would not be able to afford to pay to use the service in the first place,–but that is not the responsibility of the Government.
Maybe if the Education Minister had explained it that way, she would not have all of those grumbling Dominicans, huffing and puffing against her. Too many people are making those disgusting noises–that only defense the ear.
What is Teacher Bony trying to say? You mean in this time of advance technology where everyone else in Dominica have internet in their homes Bony talking about hotpots outside of school. Teacher Bony the student need internet at their home so that they can do their studies in that type of environment. What do you expect them to do go by the school after hours to get a little internet like they are stealing something. Especially now in this era of Covid -19 when. You must be crazy. If you have nothing to say on that matter that can give some assurance and comfort to the student, parents and teachers in the Kalinago Territory on how you can help solve their problem then keep your mouth shut until you have something to say.
The response of the Hon minister is typical of her leader. Dismissive and arrogance mixed together. The progress made over the years have largely come through their 10 Million USD Venezuelan fund. Recent housing developments have come largely from the World Bank. That being said, the people and the rest of Dominica in general have constantly been used and abused both physically and psychologically. They have especially been wined and dined during elections, treated with Tauras Riley, Popcaan etal. The Kalinago people have literally been held ransom with offers of cash and houses for votes. The monies wasted in campaigning could have been used to assist in providing the people with these essential services. Its rather unfortunate that these ministers who pretend to be so God loving and so “Christian like”, would bow at the offer of money and positions. This too shall pass, the people will eventually open their eyes.
So instead of trying to empathize and see how you can help the situation you being in a position of power. You response is, the schools have hot spots, so you sending 13-16 year olds out on the road at all odd hours ? Lets say you want to study or upload an assignment? you have to walk to the school? you have to ask your mother to come with you? Let’s not forget “Minister”, not everybody have big vehicles like you guys. Secondly, Does everybody live close to the school? Walking distance? You completely missed the point. And the most ridiculous thing you said was, “She dont live there”. SO WHAT she doesnt live there!!! she standing up for her people and cousins who do. That’s the thing with you people in power, when you move on to your fancy house you forget about the plight of the small barefoot man cause you don’t live there anymore. The level of reasoning that these people have that “represent” Dominica. A 16 year old just dance all over you hahaha…shame.
Where are the millions of dollars that President Hugo Chavez left for the development and upliftment of the Kalinago people when we sold Bird Island to Venezuela? Use that money to provide proper internet access to the Kalinago territory! You Labour Party people are wicked but there is a special place in hell for you all wickedness!
From I look at that young gyol I already see is an attention seeker..
You right, she is an attention seeker, She’s seeing attention for all the right reasons and that’s the plight of her people. So im glad she’s getting the attention she’s seeking, bet you 6 weeks from now Kalinago Territory have internet.
Oh I’m glad I wasnt the only one who wasnt fooled .. that girl is just a clout chaser big time.
And notice how after this article she ride the wave basking in the attention. Like give me a break
what you wanted her to do? go hide under a rock. Learn from her, when you on a wave to bring justice you will ride the wave and not sink.
Yes! a positive attention seeker. Those who fight for others are attention seekers. They bring others issues to the forefront for attention. Some of them even die for others. Read your history books if you can read and articulate. Maybe Whitney should teach you how to write and pronounce words. Whatever statement you made, meant for evil, it is turning to be for her good.
I agree with u some of dem too dam ungrateful
What an a..hole u r.
Ungrateful for what????!!! The minister has yet to address the issue. They are there boasting about how well online learning is working and siblany communities still do not have internet. Get the service providers to give the communities Wi-Fi. You there reproaching people for what the government does with tax payer’s money. Oh s…man! Is a favour??Stupes!
And you’re a slave to your masters
Grateful for what, red clinic payments, pre-election presents? I mean let’s face it, that’s all Dominicans can expect from Skerrit.
Perhaps the Minister has missed the main thrust of Ms. Melinard message, that being internet access.
But regardless of the pros and cons, rather than attempting to demean Ms. Melinard, I would have thought that a Minister of Education would have been proud that the system has produced such an intelligent, articulate and community conscious student,
I noticed that the part focused on is the systemic racism and the rest of Ms. Whitney Melinard advocacy is swept under the table.
Now the Minister is right that there are many improvements in many areas in the Territory and the Ministry has the right to point that out through her quote that “we will see how much resources that have been spent in this area.” “If we have to count the number of students who went away to study, we will see that it has never been so before,” Alfred argued. “If we have to look at the performance of students from this area, we will know that unlike last year, in the CXC, in the top, there were students from this area.”
But MAGWE SA!! It does not take away from the young Lady’s advocacy that there is limited Internet Access in the Kalinago Territory which IS A FACT! What also caught my attention is castigating her that she does not live in the Kalinago Territory.
HON. MINISTER, It does not matter if she lives in TIMBUKTU. EVEN I CAN ADVOCATE.
so you want internet acess right? lets do the maths.
a 30 day 10gb package on ur phone with flow is $100 ( majority of people in the kalinago territory cannot afford that at all.
now a monthly subscription to an internet hard-line is over $100 a month.
if someone cannot afford the mobile internet package how can they afford the wifi u calling for? not to mention monthly line rental, electricity costs, installation fee and possibly re-connection fee when you cant pay and u get disconnected.
now tell me this are you or anyone you know going to fund the MILLIONS it is gonna take to run fibre optic lines all over the territory. are you gonna provide a method to reimburse the massive costs associated with that?
you young lady you seem to be a bright young lady but you obviously haven’t thought this threw to the end.
you have seen whats going on in the US and maybe think it was a good idea to jump on the bandwagon. but that is not the bandwagon you need to jump on.
Nobody disagrees that providing internet access is expensive but we have a government that could make it accessible by helping to cover the costs as part of its programme to take our country forward, especially in promoting equal education for all. Is it not the Prime Minister who said som3 time ago that he wants to see a graduate in every family? Well that would be difficult to achieve, especially today with inadequate internet connection and in that sense there is social and economic discrimination. For a start the government, when awarding contracts to telecom companies could insist that they must provide coverage for the whole country equally and not for t.v. only.
This person at that level has missed a perfect opportunity to look into the status of an educational tool for the kid and nation at large. Once she start taking like Justina Charles she begins the maypwi to salè the school child I’m not surprised. How and where do they get or train these political hacks, have you heard her speak? Pure justina style.
@Pipo, I cannot believe that you agree that the cost of this initiative is expensive, but there you go again: The Government should be doing this, that, and the other thing, because one or two people are not happy with what they have–that is what the Education Officer is defending, pertaining to the young student’s complaint.
The Government will do what they must do but by the command of God, who placed them in their position. Up to just 50 years ago the Internet, Wifi, Laptop, Smart-Phone, and all the others were still hidden in the head of Steve Job, Bill Gates, and the others.
In as much as the World will not accept it, God is in complete control and only what He calls for will come forth; rain or shine; lightning and thunder; sorrow and laughter, –no man can command Him to do what He is not ready to do, or what He did not plan to do.
“He wants to see a graduate in every family”. So that complaint means his plan is not working?
“Wifi, Laptop, Smart-Phone, and all the others were still hidden in the head of Steve Job, Bill Gates, and the others.” (Elizabeth Xavier).
Elizabeth, you do not know what you talking about!
Elizabeth, Steve Job, and Bill Gates made no scientific, nor technical contribution in the development of WiFi.
For your information take a note of this:
In 1991 Wi-Fi was invented by NCR Corporation/AT&T (later on Lucent & Agere Systems) in Nieuwegein, the Netherlands.
Initially meant for cashier systems the first wireless products were brought on the market under the name WaveLAN with speeds of 1Mbps/2Mbps.
Now call me an ugly liar if you wish; but that above is the fact; true and correct.
Now even the smart phone thing came out of Israel, it was invented by someone in Israel by a Jew.
I will perhaps give a bit of credit to Steve Job, for improving on the design.
Stick to what you know little foot yellow woman!
@ Magway Ca
I suppose that it is a good thing that, as you recognized, the “bright young lady hadn’t thought this THREW”
Because she indeed did not throw her people’s welfare away for the sake of being politically correct. Or for a trade to be in the good books of the likes of you.
Now it is you, who it appears, have not and indeed need to think things THROUGH.
First off, apparently you are the one that need the internet at your home to go and learn about grammar and punctuation. It rather insulting that you think that the Kalinago people cannot afford internet. We all had internet in our homes before the hurricane. You should be so ashamed of yourself for sitting behind a screen and type utter nonsense, filled with hatred and jealousy to be franked. The territory haven’t had internet access from since the hurricanes. Thank you for acknowledge her as a smart individual.
I stand with Ms. Merlinard. She is right! Where the government found the money to fund the running of the data transmission line to other neg parts of the country; they can also find it to go to the territory. This is racism. Open your big, nasty eye and see that you too are blinded by your racist ideology towards the Kalinago people. How abusive as an adult that you are shaming a young girl that is fighting for the rights of her people! Shame on you! A basic necessity!
I might not have space to point out every single bit of garbage you just said but i’ll give it a shot.
1) Who are you to assume what the majority of people in Kalinago Terriroty can and cannot afford.
2) You claim 30days for 10gb on a phone. The hardline will cost $100 for a month NOT a single device, meaning your entire house even your neighbour can get internet from that one $100 and let’s be pratical, how easily can you share a phone with just 10GB? So a hardline is cheaper than a mobile plan.
3)What do you know about cost of running lines? so you’re saying the area should be left in the dark because it’s not profitable? That’s exactly her point Government is supposed to get things done for the people not because of a profit.
4)The only correct thing you said is she seems to be a very bright young lady. Unfortunately, that’s not a title I can bestow upon you.
If you didnt have wifi at your house to type that you’d be on that exact band wagon
@magway ca
What you mean asking who is going to fund the millions it is going to take run the lines throughout the Territory?
If there is one part of the country that can afford it, its Kalinago Territory. Government is holding millions of the territory’s money. I hope that they have no misappropriated it.
@magway ca, yours is the comment I have been searching for on this board. Who is going to take the bill of implementing that project? Seem as if someone and all these bloggers here did not do the maths–did they?
Since there is no more Aliz Boyd, are they planning to on Bernie Alfred?
Dominica is a beg for this and beg for that society. They ain’t gonna win cause the country brokes. All the money they saying the territory have does not exist that’s been wasted somewhere. More than a 1/3 of the country have no hard line internet acess. They really think any private company gonna waste millions just cause u throw up the racism word. This is Dominica. The Caribs are racist enough I’ve been called neg numerous times by the Carib people. It’s cheaper to give fond st jean internet but it’s not profitable so won’t be done. The more u make a fuss the less you will get. The proper way to go about this is to sit down with the 2 telecoms providers and the ministry of education and come up with a list of educational websites that can be made data neutral so students can acess them without a data package. Now that’s an idea
count the number of students that went away to study. My lady that is NOT the POINT, stating where the student lives is also NOT the POINT. How you know the student not staying there by her aunty or something? So what about the 100s of other students that are living there?
Ok you may have hot spots (MAY) what if the child wakes up at 3:30 am and want to study her book?
Is like you all dont take critizism and try to do better, you just hear it and come to defend.
In the famous words of our Prime Minister ‘weh, weh, weh,…yes I’ . The minister did not have to make herself come out sot so. The student brought up a valid Concern. The least you could do is say you will look into it. Everything is politics for these fools in government! Oh ghas man!
you want to shut up people? who are you to want to oppress someone? why dont you you investigate what Whitney is saying and find solutions. Why you even know where she lives? Gossip??? And since when you working for Digicel and Flow? Are you these internet providers representative? They are expected to answer. I can hear people saying femme debay, femme bef… want to throw maypwey, oh lets not go there. And do you think when you say that you will shut her up. Whitney is on her way to huge success and she will not cheat and steal her way to get there. May God bless Whitney and protect her.
As a minster of education this is very insultive. The point is no access to internet makes it difficult for students to be successful with the new platform. The lack of internet access is also affecting teachers as well. Every week they want principal to report on what happened for the week. One day teachers will be listed amongst tbe essential workers.
So rather than saying you are going to see what you can do for the students in the Kalinago territory this is what you are saying Octavia. You went to dig up information on the young lady like those high school students. Such childish ways. Octavia, please stop trying to pain an image of the ministry of education that is not true. You know to yourself their are children without internet access as well as teachers.
And since you want to be childish, can you remember the DAT meeting in Goodwill primary school hall where you were blasting the government approximately a few months before you were selected as a candidate for labour. You came to speak once, twice, three times with your demands to Skerrit. I wonder if you’re doing the same now or maybe the money barzoudie you 🤷♂️
This response from this woman leave one to wonder if you have to reside in an area to fight for others. What a foolish response. Not even a three year old would respond like that. lets put that into perspective, when the thousand Dominicans who live abroad and came to vote to help you to be talking, did you ask them if they living in Dominica or Castle Bruce? Based on your response one would think Whitney is living in Alaska. Please know what you saying. Ask someone to read your responses before you go vomiting on people.
In solidarity with the young activists. The minister failed to address the issue at hand.
This response from this woman leave one to wonder if you have to reside in an area to fight for others. What a foolish response. Not even a three year old would respond like that. lets put that into perspective, when the thousand Dominicans who live abroad and came to vote to help you to be talking, did you ask them if they living in Dominica or Castle Bruce? Based on your response one would think Whitney is living in Alaska. Please know what you saying. Ask someone to read your responses before you go vomiting on people.
Calling on the government to abolish obesity in the country…apparently it is clogging our analytical skills.
So disappointing with this response from this purchased “minister”. Apparently when you were a classroom teacher you stayed that way. You are even called minister but the Kalinago people should only concentrate on the little they were given in the past for their votes. The brilliant young lady is talking about present and the need for internet access like all other areas in Dominica. What is wrong about that? Whereas you and your children have internet access that are not bleeding your pockets, the Kalinago people shouldnt have? This is so diabolical-evil. And your response is not surprising.
Those who forget history are doomed to repeat it. We steeped aside whilst the Kallinago were put “out of place and out of mind” by the colonizers of old, we treated them like second class citizens the way blacks are treated by other races worldwide, we teach our children that they are descended from cannibals which is a lie and we uphold the stigma that all the kallinago men do s drink rum and have sex and make children with family members, yes we treat them with a heavy racial divide and we pretend it does not happen. Dominica was their own before anyone got here, and even to this day we still treat them like they do not belong. I am not saying ever Dominican does this, but the majority do. let us not pretend. And saying she does not live there means she should not speak on he issue is another form of bring them down. everyone has the right to stand for the people. Does the minister live in ever village and community of her post? no wonder education in Dominica is lacking.
Minister of education the way you responded to the situation just shows how undereducated and small minded you people in power are and think,and if your what the youth of Dominica has to lead them to a better future where in deep ………N.B then you all wonder why so many young people turn to drugs
So Unprofessional!! That’s the best response you could’ve think of???
Ahahahahahahaha. Octavia Alfred. Stop lie. Over the years, you have cried down the labour party government about its failures and mishandling of the country. All of a sudden because you were paid handsomely to run for them your tongue change. You are a wicked greedy woman just like Gretta Roberts . Shameless dogs. In the meantime complaints from teachers and principals are that you have changed and your demeanor is always a vexation spirit? Why Octavia? You have finally gotten to be the boss of all the education system as you wanted. Chill. It’s not that serious girlfriend.
Dear minister of Education,
Even if what you said is correct, you still didn’t respond to the claim that “there is a lack of internet access in the Kalinago Territory”.
Of what purpose is your statement that she doesn’t even live there?? Are you suggesting that a citizen can/should only comment on situations where they live?
Further, according to you, all the citizens have to do is go to the two ” hot spots” where there is internet connection.
It must be remembered that the top CXC students last year were at SCHOOL and could therefore perform.
Please remember that you are the minister of Education. You need to EDUCATE. A more considered response could have been: We recognise the challenges/ difficulties and we will do/ are doing our best to rectify the situation asap.
This is your first outing, don’t be like the others; keep your humility my dear.
HOTEP!
If a citizen should only comment on situations based on where they live, the same should be said for the political representatives. If you’re not living in the area i.e commuting to and from there on a daily basis, or if this is not your only place of abode, maybe you should not represent said area.
You can’t speak of one standard for one sector of the society while ignoring for the rest.
So why you sound like you are attacking this young lady. You that so called minister there full of yourself. I still believed you missed the point.
So dno , that’s all the minister said ?? That’s all she said ??? Why not post EVERYTHING. Not just what will stir up controversy. Yall just like kaka
ADMIN: “So dno , that’s all the minister said ??”
No, but that’s what she said in direct reference to the issue of systemic racism raised by Melinard. We can’t always report on every thing said in a public figure’s statement.
Thank you DNO, atleast your staff is well trained to analyse, responding to the issue at hand.
This education Minister behaving and sounds like a hyenas. She is so unprofessional and unsuited to hold any ministerial position. I can’t even listen to her. She always seems to be hoof, hoof, hoofing
Aren’t they all…?
Seriously? A student begs for the resources to continue their studies and this is the crap response she receives.
And people supporting that? Throw allu self
Kalinago people and other dissatisfied people get to that woman’s office and peacefully picket until she offers an apology
“The student doesn’t even live in the Kalinago Territory for one, so I wouldn’t even go there.”
well, maybe she moved because she needed internet access?! since we ASSuming here’s my own assumption.
Bonnie all your castle Bruce children have wifi allu want kalinago children to struggle on a little hotspot. It was d same thing with domlec. We were d last set of people to get lights in the entire country and now wifi. I think our government needs to do more for our people. Systematic racism. We need more children like this young girl. To look out for us. It doh seem our people in power doing …. than jus robbing our money
We should always revisit History of the Kalinago people when blanket statements are made. The African have never been Racist towards any other Ethnic group, the fact is, We tend to Hate self. Our first People are in some cases, much more advance than their Relatives in the USA and South America, as one of the only existing Caribbean groups, they have come a long way under African rule. The African as a Spiritual people, while seeking Equality and Justice for all , have initiate Hate towards themselves as a People. We should Refute/ Rebuke things and Groups when Innuendos rear their heads. England/France committed Genocide against our first People and like the USA, placed them on Reservation. There should be Systematic KALINAGO Protest for Reparations, the ARROWS must, and should be POINTED at the Nations of CONQUEST. This is the only TRUE STRUGGLE of our TIME, the FIGHT for JUSTICE. The Africans as usual, are in the LEAD.
Bob please, this is about internet access and resources, leave Africa out of this for once. You are Going off at a tangent and diluting the message, don’t you think. Besides, the Kalinago people are not from Africa unless I’m mistaken
Why so defensive madam minister? Rather than say all what the Gov’t has done for reserve ( which is the bare minimum), why not say we going to get digicel and flow on board to resolve the issue. The young lady not living in reserve is a moot point. The fact is, the is no proper net connectivity for the people of reserve. Fix it! So people cannot even express their dissatisfaction in Dominica? You coming with guns blazing because the young lady made her comment. This is a cause for concern. This mentality that Dominicans must be thankful for the ” bare minimum” is unacceptable.
This Minister is very dismissive of the student’s reality. Such abhorrent attitude is typical of the treatment, by the .rime Minister, to Dominicans. Any fair minded person will readily admit that the Kalinago Territory is in desperate need of help.
Instead of lending a listening ear to the student’s grievances, the Education Minister has put her knee on the young lady’s neck.
And this is coming from the Castle Bruce Parl Rep. Deflect. Lets just say she really doesnt live in the territory, that doesnt negate that her words arent true for students who do. These people are so petty. and lame. and small minded. All she could say is h if we look at the territory today and ten years ago. but the territory has developed mostly though private initiatives and the people building on their own. Apart from the school and the resource center which is under used, what else ? proper play grounds? community centers used and accessed by all? Manufacturing or processing facilitites for cassava and root crops? library or museaum? well equipped MODERN health care? Does the Kalinago have its own police station? At this state it is a slap in the face to talk about “all the students that went away to study”. That alone implies a sense or discrimination. you have no choice now. they are excelling regardless of the lack of facilities. Kalinagos need to stand up now.
Ms. Alfred shame on you, you being 1/4 or an 1/8th Kalinago. What we, the majority of Dominicans, have accepted as normal treatment of our Kalinago brothers and sisters, does have racist elements within. Yes, the Kalinago have come some ways from when the area was officially titled the Carib Reserve. However, all is not yet equal for them, and so we still have quite a road ahead in ensuring a level playing field for all Dominicans.
That’s how you address the situation? That’s how you speak to people? So you have to be living in the area to voice your concerns? No empathy….all they do is speak about the crumbs they’ve been handing out over the past how many years and expect people to sit and smile. Can’t believe people still vote for this mediocrity. Take what you get
You talking pure bull
You missing the point mrs. Alfred and it is that there are areas in Dominica, including the Kalinago territory,that are bereft of WiFi services, especially after hurricane Maria, now three years ago. As a result people, especially students, are obliged to use mobile data services at prohibitive cost in areas that already suffer from unemployment and low income. I do understand that the telecoms giants must make a profit and this is where government could come in and bridge the gap, especially if they want to meet their promise to provide comprehensive education and internet service to all. To me that is more urgent than sponsoring concerts or cricket matches. Thank you.
The student says “After almost three years of not seeing any significant step by service providers and persons in charge of making decisions in Kalinago Territory, I felt that it was my purpose to advocate on the matter of internet access in my community.”
The Minister Alfred said “that hotspots were made available outside of the schools in the Kalinago Territory and students are taking advantage of those hotspots.”
Now you figure out if hostpots should be considered “Progress” in this example.
What? That is her argument? It’s better than it used to be so shut up and take it? You don’t even live there so why do you care? Really?
Madame Alfred, do you think you are making sense? First of all you do not live in the Tereitory how can you identify with our struggles. Hotspot around a school (laughable), do you know the geographic area of the Tereitory? Maybe you don’t know so I am suggesting you talk a walk not drive through the Teeritory. I believe young people have to be supported and not bring down like how you a Minister brings down this young person.
The minister didn’t bring down anyone.there are alot of communities with internet only at the schools and the schools are opened to teachers,parents and students so what happen to carib they cannot do d same?chips tan.is dominicans that have carib up up up and making them think they more than people.
its unfortunate you defending this person they call a minister. i thought she is the carib, but the indigenous people of Dominica is called Kalinago.
How you mean “is Dominicans that have Carib up up up and making them think they more than people” You see the kind of racism that exist in our own little country. So Kalinago not people then???? That’s why the young lady had to say is feels is systemic racism against her community. I hope you not preaching about black lives matter because you part of the problem just by that comment you made. Smh.
Of course they would refute that claim. That’s how Skerrit and Co. conduct governance in DA. Wasn’t there also some money missing that belongs to the Kalinagos? Simply swept under the carpet together with a lot of other dirt.
When asked in a doaspora meeting about it he got mad that he was asked about it, raised his voice and waved his hands a lot, then deflected and started to talk about all the money he had to spend on this and that. But never addressed where the money went to. right now the new chief is influenced by Cozier who is controlled by PM. That issue has died. US$10 million given by Chavez before he died to the Kalinago people. Unfortunately they had no bank or credit union or financial institution to put it into. So guess who happily accepted it on behalf of the people ? to this day we yet to see it.
All you want internet for all you to stay on face book whole night so now all you want to put ministers under the bus?
because all night facebook is just for you! and she didnt ask minister for internet. She addressed Digicel and Flow. but in her quest to show importance she spewed out garbage
You almost as shallow as the Minister. I’m afraid for the quality of our young people with a dense Minister like that. How she ever. become a teacher I don’t know. Your first Duty is to be positive and helpful to your students, not so?
Octavia you do not live in the carib territory so how do i know what you saying bare any Merritt. You certainly do not live in their reality. SMDH. All i will ask is that whether what the young lady said was a fact? She looks like a Kalinago. I would also ask Ms Alfred can she but and own land in castle bruce and develop herself. Can this young lady do the same in the territory?
You are Politically racist do not expect an unbias comment .
Maybe she left the territory to be somewhere with reliable internet. Whether or not she lives there, doesn’t change the fact that they being discriminated against. I’m
Perhaps u should ask the leaders of the Kalinago people for their money which “disappeared”.