Students of the Petite Savanne Primary School are said to be thriving academically although they have been displaced by Tropical Storm Erika, which devastated the community in August 2015.
The students are attending school at theTeacher’s Training College building in Bath Estate and Acting Chief Education Officer, Melena Fontaine, said they and staff have succeeded in settling in the new location.
“Staff and students of the Petite Savanne Primary School have settled in their new location, and are going about the business of teaching and learning, and succeeding very well in doing that,” she said at a function for the opening of a multipurpose room at the new location on Wednesday.
She said the students have excelled at the last National Assessment, conducted in October 2015, month after the passage of Erika. Based on the result of the assesment, it was discovered that the students read at or above their grade level.
“So, for example, results of the last National Assessment, administered in October 2015 …. showed that in the Grade 4 National Assessment, one hundred percent of the students, all seven of them, achieved Grade-A in reading, meaning that they were reading at or above grade level,” she stated. “The same results were achieved at the Grade 2 National Assessment, with results showing one hundred percent of the students, all six of them achieving Grade-A in reading.”
According to Fontaine, earlier this year the early literacy and numeracy skills of the students in Grades K and One students of the school were assessed, and the results were exceptional.
“In January this year, the Ministry of Education assessed the early literacy and numeracy skills of the students in Grades K and One, and I am so happy to say that most of the students performed very well, and working at and above grade level,” she noted. “And so, I mentioned their results to show that they have been and continue to well academically.”
The multipurpose room for the students of the Petite Savanne Primary School was donated by The Sandals Foundation in partnership with the Rotary Club of Dominica.
The project is valued at over US$32,000, with about US $10,000 spent in Dominica for the renovation of a classroom to include painting, electrical works; repair of windows, frames, and installation of burglar bars; manufacturing of furniture including computer desks, tables, chairs and book shelves; the painting of a mural, and the printing of a sign.
Over $22000 worth of supplies were provided by the Sandals Foundation and its partners in the form of eight desktop computers, one laptop, printer, (provided by Dell, at a discount), projector and screen; Scholastic Book Fairs donated over 361 books, and provided a substantial discount towards the purchase of additional workbooks and other educational items; Tropicars/Africair donated school supplies and toys, while Dell School Specialty donated over US$8,000 in school, sport and art supplies.
The community of Petite Savanne was evacuated after Erika since the area was deemed unsafe by the authorities.
So proud of my fellow villagers. Erika you can’t break us. We will survive and do it quite well too. Way to go students. Keep on doing the good work.
Just looking at that picture bring back so many memories.
Hats off to teachers and administration of the P.SP.S for their continued dedication to their profession through these trying times and I pray that the good Lord will continue to shower his blessings and see our village rise again. Thanks to all the organizations and individuals who show their support.
I am so proud of my alma mata and its achievements. Excellence has always been the school’s motto and it continues to perform creditably. I am not surprised about the results at all…..the teachers are committed, ,parents are dedicated and students are zealous. I feel elated that in spite of the displacement of students in a new environment, they continue to work hard and perform above their level. This is so comforting and I must congratulate everyone involved in their kids’ education…teachers, parents and guardians…we have demonstrated to the world that we can rise above circumstances and continue to do well…education is high on our parents’ agenda. Thanks to the Rotary Club and Sandals for their wonderful gesture….it will surely be put into good use!!!!
You all are bessed,continue to praise the almighty,no man on this earth is greater than him.
As a resident of Petite Savanne, I am proud of my people and in particular, the students who have been doing so well despite the challenges. Hats off to all! I would like to say thanks to all the many contributors/donor to this venture. I know that the teachers and students and of course the parents will ensure it will be put to maximum use.
Blessings from above.
That’s the spirit, keep up the good work