Call for government-assisted students to increase performance

Minister of Education Petter Saint Jean
Minister of Education Petter Saint Jean

Minister for Education, Petter Saint Jean, has called on government-assisted college students to pay more attention to their studies.

This, as the ministry of education has increased the required GPA from 2.5 to 2.7 for those receiving assistance.

“There is an absolute need for students to recognise that in order for the state to finance their studies at the college, the issue of performance comes into play,” Saint Jean told GIS.

Over the years, the Government of Dominica has been assisting students of the Dominica State College in the payment of their tuition fees since it is recognized that many families are faced with challenging financial situations.

The education minister said the program will continue but students must meet the minimum 2.75 GPA.

“It is important to note that we expect our students to excel and as a result the assistance will be continued,” Saint Jean said.

In the 2012-2013 academic year government spent $159,110 in assisting students to attend the Dominica State College.

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14 Comments

  1. Slim g
    September 13, 2013

    I agree with u its plain n simple but on the order hand its time they put qualified teachers in the class room, because after u study and get an associate degree in teaching u cant get a job, instead they giving to their best buddies child, tis is so unfair.

  2. Anonymous
    September 11, 2013

    Start hiring qualified teachers maybe that would help.

  3. Francisco Telemaque
    September 11, 2013

    Petter, it would be great if every student could maintain an 4.0 GPA; nevertheless that seems only one of your a dream!

    Even in developed places like the U.S. A; an 2.0 GPA is accepted, an GPA of 2.0, means the student is a “C” student meaning that they are performing satisfactorily.

    A Student maintaining a 2.5 – 2.7 GPA means that student is a “B” which is great; however, what you are demanding is that in order for the government to assists someone, that student must be better than an average student.

    That is ridiculous, and down right silly.

    If you were a teacher as they claim, and now minister of education, your observation in the class should remind you that to maintain the standards you suggest the student would have to master every subject, or basically come close to mastering every subject or discipline they undertake.

    That is impossible; the probability of that happening is slim!

    We are not all born genus; we are not all born with that special gift.

    Some of those students wake in the morning and show up to attended classes without having eaten a proper breakfast.; poor diet hampers learning, give the prospective student a chance, just because someone is not a “B” student does not mean they cannot succeed.

    I know a woman from your Village who told me when you were a teacher, you taught her child, this woman is a very educated woman; she found out that you would mark her child work wrong (incorrect) when in fact the child’s work was indeed correct!

    As far as I am concerned you were not: you are not an “A” student; so why are you pressuring the poor, by inducing more stress on the student which will cause a hindrance in their learning? It should be up to the student and their personal ambition.

    Every student I have ever encountered, endeavors for the best, they all desire to be “A” students, let the Dominica students make the effort by their own will, and not because you are pounding their heads with a hammer.

    Heal thy self doctor, then try to heal me!

    Francisco Etienne-Dods Telemaque

  4. Lance
    September 11, 2013

    Sorry sir every one should get a chance u are not making sense soon u will be kicked out in the next. Election
    In Laplaine period

  5. Jay
    September 11, 2013

    As a rule, anything free is not appreciated. Pleased that the minister has learned this lesson too.

  6. :-)
    September 10, 2013

    That is why we always saying DLP need to teach us to fish and not just feed us all the time… they are embedding an “I don’t care because I know I can always get something from the gov’t” mentality in our youth.
    The universal education will bring the same outcome of incapable, lazy youth.

  7. patriot
    September 10, 2013

    It was high time…… i see everyday that students who get assistance from Government or other stakeholders don’t show up for class don’t hand in assignments yet the have the latest phone samsung galaxy too …. and they don’t care because they are not the one paying the bills…. i hope we follow through.

  8. anonymous
    September 10, 2013

    It’s about time. Too many students taking that assistance for granted.

  9. Rocks
    September 10, 2013

    Wooosssshhhh, what an investment in the youth. The kids should be jumping for glory right? $159K to the youths attending college and 8 million in LIAT. WOW…SMH!!!! Our future looks bright.

  10. OGES
    September 10, 2013

    (trueman) you hit the nail on the head. why should parents and childern care when they are not feeling the financial strain? don’t get me wrong there are a lot of students that need financail help and are assisted. but instead of government giving handouts, provide jobs for parents so that they can finance their children education and children might be more vigilant towards their studies.

  11. Valda Bruno Durand
    September 10, 2013

    That is what you get when you play politics with everything including the promise of schorlarships to people who do not give a damn about learning and those who really want to learn do not get it because all you feel their parents or extended family is “blue” take what all you get. By the way did the state college get their cheque?

  12. The Onlooker
    September 10, 2013

    Thank you Minister of Education Hon.Petter Saint Jean. It is time that the Government of Dominica take a stand. Students have become to complacent and have a don’t care attitude,education is costly and the State money should not go down the drain. Thanks for that requirement of a GPA OF 2.75 for those receiving assistance.You need ASSISTANCE study your books, work hard and persevere and at the end you will reap the benefits of your hard work

  13. TRUEMAN
    September 10, 2013

    ***IT”S PLAIN AND SIMPLE***

    Many students don’t care about their grades because the money did not come directly from the parents’ pocket. If it did, they would feel much more accountable!! Especially to their parent who work so hard.

    Greater accountability is certainly needed from the students. If the student is not making “the cut” with a good gpa then, the government should make a CUT and let the stud go!!

    No Dominican/tax payer should be paying hard earned money for students who don’t care much about the academic performance

    It’s very simple!

    -Thanks

  14. John Jay
    September 10, 2013

    Trying to FOOL the youth again with EDUCATION . TAKE the money & VOTE THEM out.

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