Newtown Primary School to be completed in July

Saint Jean said the facility is well on its way to completion
Saint Jean said the facility is well on its way to completion

Education Minister, Petter Saint Jean has promised that a brand new $6.8-million Primary School in Newtown will be completed ahead of the new academic year which begins in September.

On Monday, March 30 2015, the entire cabinet of ministers along with their permanent secretaries, members of the Chinese diplomatic corps and the media got a tour of the facility presently under construction.

“The Newtown Primary school is well on its way to completion,” Education Minister Petter Saint Jean said during the visit. “We anticipate that come the end of July the project will be completed.”

He said the project, which is funded by the People’s Republic of China (PRC), represents a “symbolic pillar of the relationship” between Dominica and that Asian country.

Saint Jean stated, in addition, that upon completion the school will have a total of 14 classrooms, labs for science lessons and the performing arts, an auditorium as well as an elevator to cater for students with disabilities.

“This school, upon completion, will be a landmark that will transform the delivery of primary education in the commonwealth of Dominica. I believe that the Newtown Primary speaks to a new day in education especially at the primary level here in Dominica,” he said.

The Education Minister informed that the furniture and equipment has already been ordered.

He is also giving parents the assurance that school fees will not be “prohibitive” for  students under the Dominica Labour Party (DLP) reign.

Meantime Acting Prime Minister, Reginald Austrie, thanked the PRC on the behalf of the people of Dominica for the project.

“On behalf of the Government and people of Dominica we really want to extend our thanks to the Government of China for making this very generous gift available to the people of Dominica,” he said. “The Chinese Government continues to invest in the education of our people here in Dominica both on island and off island.”

The contract for the school was signed on October 9, 2013.

The facility under construction
The facility under construction

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13 Comments

  1. Dreamingskies
    August 16, 2015

    I heard this is the most modern school here in Dominica yet! Great job! I’m so asking my parents to come :lol: here

  2. April 5, 2015

    We are so confused our ancesters were given shovels to dig holes to plant bananas for europeans to eat as snacks as peasant farmers they all dye hungry and poor. Now they give us education and a pen to do nothing we are still going to dye poor. Dominicans are not having the conservation in how to change that peasant mentally of begging for crumbs.

  3. April 5, 2015

    Are we going to maintain that school

  4. hm!
    April 1, 2015

    :lol: :lol: :lol: ooook!

  5. Just Saying
    April 1, 2015

    He is also giving parents the assurance that school fees will not be “prohibitive” for students under the Dominica Labour Party (DLP) reign.

    Translation: He is also giving parents the assurance the fees will not PREVENT the students from attending school under the DLP reign.

    Alternate Translations: The fees will be minimal allowing all students the opportunity to attend school.

    PROHIBITIVE – Tending to prohibit, forbid.

    NOT PROHIBITIVE – Allow, Let, Permit.

    Stop that politicking and become progressive forward thinking individuals.

    I am confused by the malarkey of the of the posts.

  6. coyote
    April 1, 2015

    another promised completion date, well i am not holding my breath. good luck then.

  7. Liberty
    March 31, 2015

    Yes,Mr,Education minister.The meaning is restrictive,,forbidding,refraining..So perhaps none of thr Newtown children will be pupils of the new school?

  8. Concern
    March 31, 2015

    Stop put words in the Man Mouth COME OUT THERE! if we were face to face I wuda hit you one blasted back hand

  9. Concern
    March 31, 2015

    Stop with all the negativity,ppl of Newtown you all should be proud of that new State of the art Primary School.Why are we always have a second comment …Jah Boy……..I think that education should not have a price tag,as it seeks to help one country Prepare its Human resource but did you hear the Minister say anything of Rising Cost…as they say in NEwtown CUM OUT THERE with your ole THINKING

  10. Civil Servant
    March 31, 2015

    I am certain the Minister said that school fees will be prohibited and not prohibitive

  11. Thinking
    March 31, 2015

    School fees will be “prohibitive” under the DLP government… Isn’t that to mean that parents will not be able to afford school? Dear Mr Education Minister, former teacher, I hope that’s not what you meant

    • BLASTING
      March 31, 2015

      Thinking,You there with me?
      Please read your nonsensical comment again…”parents will not be able to afford school?”
      You all haters are so quick to criticize you All have no time to engage your brain before opening you ALL mouth.

  12. grell
    March 31, 2015

    Petter your a contractor now smh.

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