Education Minister, Petter Saint Jean, and Parliamentary Representative for Roseau South, Ambrose George, are calling on parents and teachers of the Newtown Primary school to be patient and wait on the construction of a new school which is expected to commence in July of this year.
According to Saint Jean construction was supposed to have started already, however due to technical difficulties, this was not possible.
“This school is a gift given to the Commonwealth of Dominica and the people of the Newtown area,” he said. “We anticipated that work would have commenced already unfortunately, there are a few hurdles that we have to override through no fault of ours here. Things are taking time to materialize … information coming from the Chinese embassy is that by July of this year we should see the commencement of physical works on the ground.”
George, who admitted that the school being used right now was in urgent need of repair, embraced Saint Jean’s statement and urged parents to avoid taking action and be patient.
“We are asking the teachers, parents and students to try to cope with the conditions. The Ministry of Education has given the undertaking to do some remedial work … we cannot really go spending that much money on a structure like this when in fact you are going to get a new structure,” George said.
A member of the PTA expressed disappointment in the delay but said that the PTA is willing to work with the Ministry of Education on the situation.
The new establishment will be a three-level structure and the first school on the island to have elevators for physically challenged students. It will have all the trappings of a modern school including science and computer labs, a cafeteria, an art room and an auditorium, officials say.
Work began last year in preparation for actual construction. The Ministry of Education constructed two major walls on the site selected adjacent to the existing primary school.
Parents do not sit back or lie down. Is not time for politics. It is time for Human Rights. You know exactly what to do if nothing happens in July. Hats off to the president of the P.T.A and the rest of the executive! You are not singing for your supper! Rather you are fighting for your children and that of others!
i have attended P.T.A meetings at that school for the past 5 or so yrs and the same lies over and over, when will ambro’s stop trying to take ppl for a ride.any time this man comes to a meeting i walk out
Not a good idea to walk out though! Somebody blacker than he is sabotaging his projects.
the palace your government build, how many schools and equipment could have put in the hospital
promise is a comfort to fools
i know the school so well and i can’t seem to figure out what area of the school this is..or is this a new location?
my son was in grde 4 when they spoke about constructio beginning during summer , now he is in 3rd form in secondary school..doh worry one day this school will b up even though is when my son is in the working world then..i pray that it will b acomplished once and for all.
I think they need to relocate those children temporarily
DNO PLEASE TAKE A TOUR OF MONTEGO BAY and speak to the youths
make this SPEACIAL PROJECT
each week tour a deprived community and hear it from the horses mouth doh worry about us writers’ views on dno dat aint good enough doh even listen to those talk shows dem tings are just broken partisan records but DNO just do your research have a workable sample in each ghetto and document what the young people especially are saying let dem tellu what is their NUMBER ONE (1) PROBLEM and find out whats/who is responsible for it? How longs has it been a problem and how best that problem can be solved?
We await that feature ok DNO here we go BAMBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBB!!!!
again… ambrose and st jean not tired of telling lies…every year since 2005 this construction is begenining and it never starts…. these ppl from roseau south really stupid not foolish but STUPID!!!!!!
A constituency which is giving this man vote ever since and for long am hearing about a school for Newtown and everytime the DATE Has BROKEN it is not joining at all tothe shovels and pick I think the ground breaking was even done already. Mawaysa.
But seriously how many times is that date supposed to change nah. Just say you all dont have the money!!
How many times has the date for the commencement of construction been pushed back?
The Chinese are giving a GRANT for the construction of the school?
Well we have to wait while our children continue to be schooled in a dilapidated structure and the- powers-that-be enjoy the air-conditioned comfort of their offices.
I believe in the Chinese proverb: Give a man a fish and he has food for a day. Teach a man to fish and he has food everyday.
how many Dominica will be employ on that project and how do we plan to pay for it , why was a state palace more important than this school or an internationl?
Are you suffering from visual starvation? Did you take your time to read and understand what was discussed in the above article. Many of you all are suffering from Anti-development symdrome and it is kiing the country. GEt healed and try to see what you can do . stop being like a bat
Actually you need to google bats -they see very well. It is not anti development that dominica suffers from its just the people are tired of essential things for example upgarding schools and providing decent healthcare being put on hold so that the state house can be built. It all about priorities.
Get the chinese to also build a bigger jail…
4 u
St.Jean focus on the crime, i find everytime we have a crime all u fellas talking about some project, what u trying na!
Dont blame him for all you crime