Minister for Information, Science, Telecommunication and Technology Kelver Darroux has disclosed that the Government is seeking to expand the training available at the Centre of Excellence for ICT to all Schools, specifically those in the rural communities in Dominica.
Darroux made these remarks while addressing the inaugural graduation ceremony of the Centre of Excellence in Information Technology where over 150 individuals graduated at the Auditorium of the Dominica State College at Stock Farm on Friday.
“Work has already begun in the Ministry in looking at avenues to expand the training opportunities available at the Centre to all Schools, but specifically to those in the rural areas around Dominica using modern communication applications in order to ensure that every citizen particularly our young students at Primary and Secondary Schools and the College would have a desire to develop their skills in the field on Information Technology would be able to do so,” Darroux stated.
He also announced that his Ministry’s will be working with the National Telecommunications Regulatory Commission NTRC in bringing broadband connectivity to as many Schools on island.
“Additionally the Ministry in conjunction with the National Telecommunications Regulatory Commission NTRC will be working assiduously in the coming fiscal year in having fiber optic broadband connectivity to as many Schools as possible with emphasis in the rural areas on a phased approach as the Government seeks to provide broadband capacity nationally,” the Minister said.
Darroux mentioned further that they will also be collaborating with the Ministry of Education and Human Resource Development to ensure that many courses taught at the Centre of Excellence are made available to rural communities in Dominica.
“The Government of Dominica in its quest to bring technology close to its students have embarked on the renovation and refurbishment of Community Centers and School computer labs as remote hubs together with the installation of a fiber optic broadband infrastructure in ensuring that many courses taught here are made available online to citizens who are desirous of E-learning opportunities,” he said.
Darroux revealed that at present two smart rural centers are being built in two remote locations one in Grandfond and the other in La Plaine with others scheduled in the new fiscal year in order to facilitate remote access to the courses offered at the Center.
He implored all young people to take full advantage of this ‘once in a lifetime opportunity’ for further development which this Program provides for all Dominicans.
I thought most of the schools had internet connectivity this the handing out of hundreds of tablets a couple of years ago. What is really going on in this country of mine. We have persons who have never really held on proper jobs in their lives running the very important affairs of the country.
Little wonder we are doing things back to from. One can only imagine the cost of these recurring mistakes that we not only seem to make but also seem to wholeheartedly embrace without questioning
I am delighted to hear that finally the message I preached of developing Telecentres in Rural areas have finally sunk in after almost 15 years. I recall the first one we set up was in Grand Bay at the Village Council/Library by the Late Prime Minister Pierre Charles (ask Ed Registe because he assisted alot). Hon. Pierre Charles was keen on seeing it develop. one was set up in Good Hope and Petite Soufriere in collaboration with the CORICS project and another in St. Joseph ( Hon. Darroux was roped in at the time while he was still at National Youth Council – he would recall).
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This was to have been the modality for a network for ICT development throughout the country but sadly not too many people in high places were paying attention. some thought my head was in the clouds
The ICT Centre of Excellence was intended to have been the last stage of the network – the rural centres would have then already been in place to be serviced by the ICT Centre of Excellence.
I am delighted that Hon. Darroux is taking this forward. I will assist where possible with technical know how. I through ITU have just assisted St. Vincent, Belize, Grenada and St. Kitts in 2016. THEY LISTENED.
I look forward to working with my country AGAIN
Positive vibes man!
This is the sort of news I welcome with open arms. This government has no plans on leaving the countryside unattended. Everyone deserves a fair shot.
this is great news… I just wish they would teach PMP certification (PMI globally accepted certificate) for project management or Prince 2 the European version. of Six sigma, ITIL or Agile. Those are the foundations of excelling in IT business and not just working entry level IT jobs which is sill a requirement to grow in the business!