Education Minister Petter Saint Jean has issued a strong appeal to members of the private sector and the public at large to make a greater contribution towards the operations of the Education Trust Fund, (ETF).
The Education Trust Fund was established in 1981 to assist families who experience financial difficulties in providing for their children to attend Secondary School.
The Minister made the appeal during a press conference called on Monday at the Conference Room of the Windsor Park Stadium.
“I want to make a special appeal to the various business concerns, institutions and organizations around Dominica who over the past 31 years have made it their business to support the Trust Fund, this year, I appeal to you in a bigger and better way demonstrate that Dominica belongs to all of us. In fact the success on any nation depends on a very large extent upon the exploitation of its human resource capacity,” he said.
“Let me say to our corporate citizens out there that the investment that you make in a child’s education today may just determine the continued success of your business venture.” he added.
“I am throwing out an appeal to the businesses in and around Roseau and around Dominica and further afield. We have some Dominicans who are out there in the various islands, in the North American continent and in Europe, if we can get 20 business houses to make a contribution of $10,000.00 each this year, we would have achieved just about 30% of what we anticipate we would raise this year,” he continued.
The Minister noted that the contribution from the private sector would be tax deductable.
He issued a direct challenge to the private sector saying that, “if we can get another 25 business concerns, and we understand the times in which we operate. You may not be able to contribute $10,000.00 but 25 business houses can contribute $5000.00 each and another 40 business houses, maybe smaller scale businesses can each contribute $1000.00 each, then the rest would be left to the individual Dominicans in Morne Jaune, Paix Bouche, Dos Dane and Scotts Head, La Plaine and Penville each to make their contribution of $10, $15, $20, $100 each.”
The Minister continued that “if we can get across Dominica 10,000 Dominicans to give an average of $10 each that would be a great achievement,” and called for the involvement of all schools in making contributions to the Education Trust Fund.
“Since you are the prime beneficiaries, we believe that you need to give back, that students at our primary and secondary schools should play their part. I want to send a special challenge out to principals and staff to join us in sensitizing, mobilizing and organizing with your students to go this year on a massive drive to target every student in Dominica. If every student can contribute just $1.00 then it would mean that we would be able to raise safely $15,000.00 from our Dominican students,” he suggested.
The Education Minister is also appealing to past beneficiaries of the Education Trust Fund who are now gainfully employed to give back to the fund.
“We have hundreds of individuals who have been assisted by the Trust Fund over the past 31 years who today hold very good jobs and we believe that if there are people who understand the whole mission and vision of the Trust Fund, it is you the beneficiaries. I call upon you as Minister for Education to make a meaningful contribution this year to the Education Trust Fund.”
Quite apart from the contributions of the private sector and generous individuals the Government of Dominica provides an annual subvention of $50,000.00 towards the fund which is directed towards the provision of textbooks, transportation, and school registration and examination fees.
Meantime Chairman of the Education Trust Fund, Willie Fevrier says the Fund is designed to assist parents who are in dire need of assistance.
“It is important to note that contrary to the belief of some people that the assistance provided is for everyone. Let it be known that the program is designed for parents who are challenged in meeting the requirements to keep their sons and daughters in school. It is not for all and sundry, hence there is an application process,” he noted.
Fevrier told members of the Media that application forms are available at the Ministry of Education (both Government headquarters and at Cornwall Street office) and at village councils.
He said all applications are to be submitted to the Education Trust Fund Office on Cornwall Street. The deadline for receipt of applications is July 31st.”
The Education Trust Fund receives approximately 1,000 applications per year. On average about 600 applications are honored due to limited financial resources.
In 2013 the fund supported 476 students.
I doh understand why a government that frivolously spent $30 million dollars on a house to put one family can now turn around and ask people to contribute their two pence that already not enough to meed their needs to education trust fund. de way these fellas spending and talking about millions everytime you turn around why they cannot just say education is free for everyone from pre-school to college or university? Woy, woy, something happening!!!!………
I remember when the Honourable Vince Henderson was minister of Education he lead by example, he gave up his entire month salary…… I did not read the entire story so i do not know what St Jean giving.
All the money that is spent to buy votes, galvanize, posts, nails and to victimize your constituents should be spent on the Education Trust Fund. Peter wants us to contribute to the Trust fund so he could say to the villagers, ” come to see me and I will help you and your child” in that way he will use our own money to continue to enslave us. Peter we have peeped your cards. We understand your play book and we must tell you that you have no shame!
shame on u mr minister
Mr minister great idea, the kids with no money have nothing to do with politics, lets all get together and help them to have a better future than we had.
I am the only one on this blog willing but unable to donate. I go to the red clinic every week, so I do not know where you expect me to get the money from. Looks like I will have to make bum sir.
I am going to China. I will bring billions of dollars for you Petter.
chikunguna taking people money to buy paracetamol cauSE HOPITAL havnt got medicine……………
So…if 20 businesses gave $10K each ($200K) that will equal 30% of this years goal. Assuming there is nothing currently in the fund, this year’s goal is therefore about $650K.
If we only had say….$27M dollars we could fully fund this fund of 41 Years?!! But, screw the kids…that money is better spent on a pretty picture and nice place for 1 man to live.
Well i think too much money is being wasted in buying votes through out the 14 years of Labour in office, with no agriculture no tourist where are we going to get the money from? go to ….
All the building material you gave out mostly to the well off folks who can afford it on their own , instead of using the people money wisely you with your arrogant self take people money and buy votes , I hope they double cross you on Election Day.
DLP has money doling out to young and strong men and women dressed in Red, at the Red Clinic, and you are asking the poor you and this wicked Labour Party have impoverished for money? Where are they getting it?.
I AM SO HAPPY THAT YOU Petter Pepper, ARE ALREADY ONE OF THE DEFEATED LABOUR PARTY CANDIDATES MR PEPPER.
SHAME ON ALL YOU!
Bro you have Guts ,the government you represent giving you money to buy votes, to go to Barbados, and so on and so on .Take that money to help the students.I really tired with that nonsense you are doing ,I really, really tired
Honestly (sick and tyred) I dont think UWP has the kind of money that labour party has,Labour party controls the countrys purse plus all what they collect from kickbacks and sale of passports etc however if it was UWP i would have ask them to do the same, and am still asking them to contribute to the fund from the little that they have am sure they will with no hesitation.I think they care for people more than the labour Ministers that only interested in buying a vote.
Appeal for what? Those who can afford getting the benefit. As for the school transfer grant same
Labour has all the money doing …. and you begging,partner your out of your mind.Skerrit is a millionair have him donate a years salary.
Mr.. Pepper the DLP issuing money like sand to buy votes therefore use some of the money for the Educational fund. Instead of asking a nation of people you have improvised to contribute.
My friend you wand blood out of stone!!! Stop sacrificing the people of Dominica.
Pas. Saint Jean, the last sermon I heard you preach was from Philippians 4: 19, which reads” But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus.” Since you and Matthew named all you jesus (Not the Messiah ok) and that jesus has plenty money distributing all over today like Santa Claus, why not have him to make a contribution towards the operations of the Education Trust Fund, (ETF)? I am quite sure he would be very generous especially just before an election.
The idea is good but I don’t like that begging method. Here is a method that does not require begging. Dominica is a small Island where everybody knows everything about everybody. What about investigating our politicians to see how much money they came in with when first elected, how much is their salary, and what is their worth today? If their salary is far less than their asset and they cannot explain the difference, then government should seize their assets, sell what is above and beyond their salary and use the profit towards the operations of the Education Trust Fund, (ETF).
fantastic idea kkkkk
Very good idea Mr. Petter St. Jean! To be honest with you if I had money I would contribute to this worth cause. Here is a suggestion though: Since we have some firms that are not very good in accounting and always make some silly TAX error, why not get a good certified accountant to check to see if some did not make a tax error that could be used towards the operations of the Education Trust Fund, (ETF). Hope this is of help to you sir.
Funding the Education trust fund should not be a problem. While the Government is using so much money for campaign purposes one way to boost its image and showing concern for the youths who seek assistance from the trust fund is to make a significant sums of campaign available, and see who is making that appeal one who was just in the USVI having secret meetings to bring people home to vote.
Sot put the red clinic money in the education trust find so people can learn a skill instead of begging u
Here’s an idea for you SIR… why don’t you and your minister colleagues donate a month or 2 of the insurance benefits you receive every month.
Mr. Pepper sir, this is also a good indication to the masses that the economy is stagnant of damn near bankrupt. If people doh have money how are they going to donate? The only money flowing in Dca is at the RED CLINIC and what is coming in through DIPLOMATIC BRIEF CASES (Check those returning from China soon) to support the DLP campaign machinery. Remember Mamo used to donate part of her salary to the fund? Just maybe you should take this is a hint. But Change will come soon.
“I AM FOR CHANGE SIR; ARE U?”
Assertive, NOT Agressive!
so much useless money spending
so much useless money spending put some in the trust fund
The Education Trust Fund is one of the best examples of teaching and learning to help ourselves…committing to make a difference.
While am in agreement for persons to support the trust fund SIR, you and the labour party must understand things are tight and money not flowing people can hardly make ends meet. So all the millions of dollars labour party dispensing all over the place to buy votes, Put 50 % into the trust fund for the youth and school children labour say they love so much.
Would you not agree that the same can be said about UWP as well? Coey if you concur, then why not make a similar appeal to UWP? After all, they have money touring all over the world trying to win an election outside of Dominica rather than focusing on Dominica the island.
put loads of the campaign money into the education trust fund…………it will better serve the less fortunate, what say you mr minister sah hon’t.
was just about to say that. and what they paid people to attend de sen joe rally, could better serve de trust fund