Michael Pascal explains procedure for MDC scholarship program

Coordinator of the United States (US) Private Boarding School Program, organized by the Marigot Development Corporation (MDC), Michael Pascal has sought to explain the procedure on how scholarships are awarded to students under that program.

This is in light of a recent controversy which followed an announcement that the MDC had secured $6.1 million for 16 students to study in the US and that two children of the MP for Marigot, Lennox Linton, were part of the group.

Some people have accused Linton of using his position to influence the selection of students for the program and “taking” two scholarships for his children.

Linton has denied the claims, saying that the scholarships are at the sole discretion of the school and is strictly a merit based system.

Pascal had already made it clear that there is no political influence over the program and in an interview with DNO on Tuesday, he said that there are procedures the students need to follow in order to be accepted.

Pascal said the students first have to register for the program.

“Step one, you register for the program, you pay a fee to the program…,” he said. “The program involves two components, one, which we call the classes and the other is the consultation.”

He also said that last year, a preliminary assessment was initiated for the program.

“We didn’t do that in the past because of a few things which came up…,” he explained. “Now we do a preliminary review of students in terms of when you come in. If you are interested, we do an interview with the students and the family.”

He said there is a family interview which takes place even before the student is accepted into the program.

He said as part of that interview the students’ transcripts from High School are reviewed.

Pascal pointed out that the program looks for A students “but sometimes we take students that are not A, if they have other strong areas that cover their CV.”

“We look at the transcript, we look and see whether the students are involved in sports, if they are involved in music or drama,” he stated. “We also look to see whether they are involved in leadership things at their current High School because the schools are looking for leaders.”

According to Pascal, those characteristics are looked at in addition to the academic transcript of the student’s school.

“Based on that, if we like what we see we recommend that we can proceed,” he stated. “If we have issues with the transcript, we let the parents know that the transcript does fall short and if they wish they can continue, but we wanted them to know early that we are seeing some difficulty to a successful completion of the transcript.”

Pascal stated that even with that advice, some parents still go ahead and they are successful, “but we try to guard ourselves from parents who say that you all knew the transcript wasn’t strong enough. So that is why we have that preliminary step.”

He explained there are 12 to 15 weeks of preparation for the SSAT Exams, a special exam for the independent private boarding schools in the United States.

“We are preparing the students over three months with 12 to 15 classes to take that exam,” he noted. “The exam is 2,400 points so we are trying to find students who can get close to 2,400 points as possible, which puts them at the top of the line for consideration by schools.”

The classes, Mr. Pascal said, are conducted at the Prevo Cinemall on Saturday mornings.

He mentioned also that focus for the SSAT exams is in December 2017 and January 2018 in St Lucia.

The program targets students under 17 years old who are eligible for entrance at a US Private Boarding School. Students are facilitated in preparing for the entrance exam (the SSAT), selecting schools, applying to the schools and obtaining financial awards.

 

 

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44 Comments

  1. patsy
    July 26, 2017

    LET ME SAY SOME THING .first you must and I say must be involve with your children and be in their lives,and that also extend to your child school and what is taking place at your child school, and what program the if it homework program,field trips,student exchange etc the school have to offer to students to help advance their lives at school and in the wider world you have and must be involve withe the head,the teachers and the cleaners they are very important to the students.the church they attend is part of the
    progress.so that they will excel and be good and proud citizen in today’s world.no what you want linton
    and the other parents to do.do like you and ignore the welfare of their children.get on the next bus and see what you can do for your child,instead off winding and grinding in pain at Mr.Linton and the other
    student.first find out when the program starts get all the information speak with your child and his teacher
    and go from their.Your PM WILL ALSO LOOK AFTER…

  2. Keeping Watch
    July 26, 2017

    What a thing! It is amazing but very sad how we politicize everything at the slightest opportunity; or even make a positive look negative. Why! To what/whose benefit?

    I applaud this opportunity and avenue Mr. Pascal is providing for those who can meet not only the cost, but more significantly those who work hard and extend themselves to meet the qualification requirements. Clearly, those with $$$ only would not cut it. Comes down to hard work and achievement.

    Dominicans, let us project a different and more desirable image of ourselves; let us stop the expressions of anger and bitterness towards each other; let us be respectful to each others’ views and accept our differences and diversity; let us see the good and the good in each other for what it is and encourage more of it; If we are ignorant about things let us ask, read, listen, and learn BEFORE we participate in a discussion.

  3. Illuminator
    July 26, 2017

    I found this article very illuminating on the whole subject of poverty and boarding schools. It is worth a read . The article offers some hope because it points out that their are in fact some boarding schools who are attempting to facilitate the entry of poor students. I trust the alternate Michael pascal I referred to in my earlier post may gain some insights on the way forward with attracting such funding for poor students. See article below

    Scheme to offer poor pupils free boarding places at leading private schools is failing because social workers say they ‘they won’t fit in’

    Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-4190284/Fear-poor-pupils-won-t-fit-boarding-school.html#ixzz4nyGkyuqb
    Follow us: @MailOnline on Twitter | DailyMail on Facebook

  4. Dante Jones
    July 26, 2017

    This is a clear and well explained process for acquiring the benefit of the program compared to the government scholarship programs where people are awarded scholarship based on support or pull string from their parl rep.

  5. Oh please!
    July 26, 2017

    Dominicans have that nasty habit of belittling people through their children without a care in the world for how those abuses affect the kids!

    Has anyone stopped to consider how – two clearly intelligent students who worked hard to earn their scholarship is feeling because of the attempts to score cheap political points?

    At what point do the politicians of this country draw the line?

  6. NKRUMAH KWAME
    July 26, 2017

    There is no greater blind than he who has eyes but refuses to see. Granny also sang in our ears: “for he who is convinced, no evidence is necessary; for he who is unconvinced, no amount of evidence is sufficient.”
    HOTEP!

  7. EnBaLA
    July 26, 2017

    Stop being ridiculous you all are entertaining this non issue. This is a private organization you are not government run you are entering the political ring by responding to this political nonesense.

    • NUWP
      July 27, 2017

      ooooohhh I seeeeee.

      I save this page for later.

      because you all are too inconsistent.

      if lennox had principle he would not have accepted

      miehael pascal effective immediately I stop support everything you involve in because you are very bias dishonest and damaging your credibility as a result.

      despite the procedure lenox is the leader of opposition unfortunately and the MP FOR MARIGOT SADLY SO. HE HAD NO RIGHT TO ACCEPT IT.

      CAN U IMAGINE IG IT WAS THE PM WHO DID DAT?

      BUT AGAIN ITS NOT THE FIRST TIME MARIGOT MP DOING THEM THINGS.

      YOU REMEMBER THE VENTURE CAPITAL FUNDM AT THE AID BANK?
      ASK EDISON IF HE AS PRIME MINISTER AND MP FOR MARIGOT APPLIED FOR IT?

      BUT MARK MY WORDS MR PASCAL I ME NOR MY FAMILY WILL NEVER ATTEND WAT WE ONCE ATTEND EVERY YEAR “MAY FEST” EVER AGAIN NOR BUY UR BREAD NOR HAVE UR CAKE MAKING BUSINESS RUN BY UR WIFE AGAIN.

      THIS IS MY PROTEST AGAINST YOU ALL ACTION OF USING WAT SHOULD BE GIVEN TO POOR PEOPLE CHILDREN TO LENNOX CHILDREN.

      • EnBaLA
        July 27, 2017

        Private organization criteria met they got the scholarship. PERIOD. Non issue. Next.

      • SP
        July 27, 2017

        Oh just hush and go apply for a scholarship. You definitely need one to improve your comprehension skills and so on and so on.

  8. Albert John, Roseau
    July 26, 2017

    The article fail to address the salient issue of transparency in the process. Who are the interviewers? Who are the teachers and reviewers of the school transcripts locally? Who are the people involved in the selection process? When are applications due in each school year? What costs are involved? What is the role of the parents? Among a host of other questions which the reader might have benefited from. Critical to the discussion is when was the program opened up to the general public? When and how (public information) was the public informed of such an “opening up” of the program? Why did it have to take a politician to invite the Dominican public to participate in the program?

    • wilderness
      July 26, 2017

      Dumbo, why dont you go to the meeting they have every year. or just call them.

    • Oh please!
      July 26, 2017

      Who are the holders of Dominica’s diplomatic passports? That is a question that concerns you not how a PRIVATE institution goes about selecting its applicants/scholarship awardees!

    • %
      July 26, 2017

      TRANSPARENCY ??????Albert John you need not be entertained. Do you question your government on this level? TRANSPARENCY???? These are questions that you should pose to our corrupt DLP REGIME when they are riding roughshod over people like you. STOP playing smart when i can clearly see that you are just a HYPOCRITE, and just praise the MDC, for a job well done.
      I honestly find they are doing better than our government, which I refer to as a colony of doggone clowns.
      SKERRIT MUST GO
      SKERRIT MUST GO
      SKERRIT MUST GO NOW

      • NUWP
        July 27, 2017

        I did not want to see u entertain Albert John nah papa.

        U said so much yet very little.

        How do the government fit into dat issue?

        This is y I will NEVER IN MY LIFE BE A UWP MEMBER NOR SUPPORTER. These people very inconsistent and double tongue.

        I wonder if the LABOUR PARTY (not the government) GET SOME SCHOLERSHIP and Demitry and Malick were to be given I wonder wat would u all say?

        But trust me I save this news I will use it later in life trust me.

        But u all can support that move as much as u all want it’s one more nail in the UWP casket.

        We not even bothered. We all know Lennox has no class. It’s all for me and me for none.

    • Citizen Too
      July 26, 2017

      None of your beeswax! Just like the Pm said> None of your beeswax

      • Albert John, Roseau
        July 27, 2017

        Given the responses, I did touch a “political jugular”. The article said, Mr. Pascal clarified the issue of selection. I said after reading the article I came away not understanding the process involved. That’s all. The questions still remain unanswered. Just asking for transparency. Certainly you do not want to imitate or follow Mr. Skerrit’s leadership style as you have critiqued. Right?

  9. Dion
    July 25, 2017

    The words you speak can haunt you in your own lifetime.

  10. Dion
    July 25, 2017

    When it is to hot stay silent

  11. July 25, 2017

    Congratulations to all of the students .

  12. ??????
    July 25, 2017

    My countryman Mikey Pascal, a former Island Scholar and proprietor of ‘Ah Fuh Ar We’ Bakery. Great to see you giving back in such big ways to your country. There are so many more Dominicans around the world who can contribute to the country’s development but they don’t. While one man from Marigot can make such a significant contribution from his base in Marigot.
    The people of Marigot are natural visionaries and trailblazers. Hate us or be jealous of us but that’s the hard facts.
    Mikey continue your hard work for Dominica and show Government that Marigot people are not selfish and partisan as they are. When was the last time anyone form Marigot received a scholarship from the government. Not since lobour is in power. But God is not asleep. He always opens doors for his loved ones and he opened a special door for Lennox. Who God Bless No Man Curse.

    • July 26, 2017

      Stop.talking. nonsense if. Nothing good to say shut up

  13. July 25, 2017

    That is not for poor people children. That sounds more like a private club. Every child I know who took part and benifited from this program came from wealthy families.

    • Oh please!
      July 26, 2017

      Obviously there is a significant amount of costs involved in preparing the students, plus the scholarships are not 100% funded …some are 80% some less. Therefore it would be obvious that those who apply are the ones who can afford to:
      1. Send their children to the 15 or so classes, invest the extra time in helping them prepare for the exams and have the “know how”
      2. Afford to pay for travel and accommodation for their child to go to st Lucia to do the exams
      3. Afford to pay for their kids to travel to and from the US as well as secure the required visa’s etc.
      4. Afford to pay the balance of the Scholarships, 20% of whatever the value is.

      So obviously, malayways working for for stagnant minimum wage that the country offers may not be able to – yet, unfortunately, they are the ones screaming at the top of their voices – HE TAKE TWO.

    • Bee
      July 26, 2017

      May be poor people like you not as interested in your children. I’ve heard them advertisers that thing to to public many times. With an attitude like yours I hope you have no kids.

    • July 26, 2017

      They just trying to defend Lennox there are. Children that more in need of it

      • Oh please!
        July 26, 2017

        this type of scholarship is not given on the basis of need. Its awarded on the basis of MERIT

    • Citizen Too
      July 26, 2017

      But parents MUST be able to afford because some students do not always receive full scholarships! This is not USE (Universal Secondary Education). It is as you said a private club but to be part of the club as you say you must have some smarts and some MONEY!

  14. Ibo France
    July 25, 2017

    The process of procuring one of these scholarships seems very demanding. It takes a lot of discipline and hard work from the prospective students. I’m happy that the misconceptions have been clarified. The political mischief and diatribe should now cease. Let’s rejoice in others’ success.

  15. Emile Dominique
    July 25, 2017

    My question is…..Is there a residence qualification. Since the MDC promotes development is Marigot why are two students from the upscale area of Morne Daniel chosen . Were those kids students in the Marigot area. Besides those two Linton kids Were any other students attended school OUTSIDE the Marigot area.
    I do not have a problem with the Linton children ability or Linton trying to give his kids an advantage.
    But it looks like unfair political advantage so people will call foul. Like they say if it quacks its a duck. Or if you prefer fire produce smoke.
    Also are these scholarships advertise island wide ?
    Mr Pascal defence of favouring the Lintons is very weak. Cullusion maybe ?

    • Oh please!
      July 26, 2017

      Are you mad or just plain Mischievous? The program has been going on for years! Every year the organisation recruits students – all of a sudden this year Lennox Twins managed to each secure a scholarship on their own merit. The Requirement is that they must be descendants of the Marigot people. All the students who receive have roots in Marigot…Some of them attended school outside of Dominica – one of the recipients is actually in the US.

      Jump high Jump Low #HisTwinsEarnedTwoOnMerit

    • %
      July 26, 2017

      You don’t read Emile, many DLP acolytes like you don’t read too. The two students you are referring to were not given favours. they are BRILLIANT CHILDREN, and their academic progress cannot be truncated because you HATE THEIR FATHER. I have heard ad nauseam that wherever you live in Dominica does not factor into the equation. They acquired the brilliant genes from honourable Linton, and also the wife.
      Emile these are the types of questions you need to pose to our CORRUPT DLP REGIME, but you are hypocritically making and acting like an honest person on here, when you are hurting inside because honourable LLL, Leader Lennox Lintons two children have distinguished themselves as superlatively OUTSTANDING CHILDREN.
      I give them plaudits EMILE
      RELAX EMILE
      RELAX EMILE
      RELAX EMILE and question your government.

    • Citizen Too
      July 26, 2017

      So what if students from Marigot didn’t apply or didn’t get the scores needed? You all must think before you all speak! Collusion my ! Watching too much CNN boss!

    • Zandoli
      July 26, 2017

      I know of another child who got a scholarship and she resides in Roseau. This clearly is not restricted to people from Marigot. I am happy that they are looking beyond the boundaries of Marigot.

  16. Illuminator
    July 25, 2017

    Thanks Mr. Pascal for a very clear explanation of your process.
    Clearly, with all the requirements outlined this is not a program for poor peoples children. A few will slip through the cracks but by and large it is the children of the upper class, middle class whose transcripts will show the required A’s based on their support at home, will be able to go to paid music, drama and other classes needed to show their social inclusion, whose parents will be informed and reminded of the dates for submission and other requirements- who remembers the poor in these situations.

    As such the poor need to organize themselves in an alternative arrangement to raise the funds required to get their kids to continue their education. Sure Mr. Pascal and Mr. Linton can use their good offices and contacts to assist them but it is the poor who will need to drive it themselves. I have previously suggested Mr. Linton can use his great skills of oratory to assist the children of his poor constituents.

    • Dominican
      July 26, 2017

      The govt is assisting the poor to get an education which mr linton and pascal have ridiculed as “walking up ministry steps begging”

    • Just Saying
      July 26, 2017

      Interestingly Amusing :mrgreen: :mrgreen: @ Illuminator

  17. July 25, 2017

    Yeah, we hear you.

  18. hmm
    July 25, 2017

    Keep up the good work. Reward students based on merit. That’s much better than all those ‘needs-based’ rewards that we see locally.

    • EnBaLA
      July 26, 2017

      It is good there are merit based scholarships but I would refrain from criticizing the other scholarships given or awarded. Even on college campuses the foundation they give merit based or academic scholarships as well as need based.

      This entire scholarship news or argument on who was awarded private scholarship is senseless.

  19. Elephan
    July 25, 2017

    Basically, labourites are weak minded sheep. This is not news

  20. July 25, 2017

    Too much drama and wasted money to go back to highschool. No sense.

    • Oh please!
      July 26, 2017

      Would you be saying that if your child had earned this opportunity? #Jealous

    • Citizen Too
      July 26, 2017

      An excellent high school grade will set you up for an excellent college/university and even scholarships. Now coming from Dominica sometimes you may experience a setback in applying for a top school straight from high school. However, if you are coming from a top high school in the US you are already ahead of the competition and the competition is really tight for top schools like Harvard, Yale, Howard and so on. Not nonsense at all plenty sense in fact! Got it? Get it!

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