The country’s chief education officer has issued a stern warning against vandalism in schools.
Steve Hyacinth’s warning comes as government undertakes major repairs to the North East Comprehensive School (NECS).
NECS has been in a deplorable condition due to extensive damage to windows and chairs at the institution and reports indicate that it was the work of students.
Last Friday, five officials from the Ministry of Education met with the Parent Teachers Association(PTA) at the school to chart the way forward after the PTA threatened protest action.
“Since we are of the view that there is a level of vandalism at the school we took the opportunity to discuss with the PTA and solicit their support and that of the community and also students to respect the school and to cease the practice…” Hyacinth said.
According to him, valuable funds are being spent to develop the school and if all the funds are being used for maintenance there will be little left to purchase what is needed at the institution.
Education officials have said that repairs to the school will cost over $500,000.
The Ministry of Education assured the PTA that works on the damaged school would begin as early as this week.
Hyacinth also indicated that 100 chairs will be delivered to the school on Tuesday just in time for classes on Wednesday.
The students might have played a role in the current situation that exists at NECS, so too is the MOE as regards material quality and contract supervision and monitoring. Moreover, the MOE was aware since last year (2011) when it promised to do the repairs. They waited a whole year, did nothing and now are grasping at straws.I am of the view that the way we manage things in this country needs to change: there must be funds made available to the MOE for repairs BEFORE the annual budget.
Finally, we all need to work together for the development of our human resource as it is the only element which will allow us to be competitive in this international environment. All “stakeholders” are “guilty” to some extent for the current sityation.
PS. And Gloria Shillingford, even if she is doing a poor job, is from Wesley.
HOTEP
The chief is right to say what he did. They heard that the PTA was planning a strike so on Friday they rush down to keep a “hush meeting”. PTA executive take that in your face
Please stop blaming the children from the North East and blame the government for it lack of supervision of the Contractor during the construction of that facility. A structure like this whos sole purpose is for public use must be constructed with specialized materials. The doors, windows, toilets etc which you will install in your private home is not what you will use in public infrastructure. We continue to make the same mistake even with the recently built Stadium, then we turn around and blame dominicans when a window, door or toilet is broken. The Government must do a better job in specifying the type and quality of materials to be used on its projects and carry the necessary inspection and supervision during construction to ensure that work is done as per the approved project submittals and specifications.
SAD SAD SAD, and then they cry that they don’t have enough??? Was just at a meeting where it was discussed that we abroad should do more financial to support our schools and hospitals, but hearing this, is so discouraging.
Wow, Dominicans are beyond help! But there’s always hope.
You must see what the parents and students do to the books when they are given by the government at primary school.
The School needs a surveillance cameras system to be set up. And the school needs a maintenance person on site to do little odd jobs ( repairs and maintain). Why do we wait last minute to do things. We take 20-30yrs to re-paint. It cost so much less just to have a maintenance person/ that person could also up keep the school grounds.
Once again we just react to situations. What else is new a few cameras would cost much less than it will take to do the repairs, “SMFH” And here comes the politician doing damage control after the facts. Vote those jokers out!
Mr. Hyacinth is a man I respect and support. However, this stupid excuse he gave makes no sense whatsoever. In fact this is just an attempt to cover the poor leadership of Mr. Skerrit, education minister St. Jean, and palrep for Wesly Gloria Shillingford, who has miserably failed the people of Wesly.
Mrs. Shillingford was the former principal of the school and because of her then popularity in the Wesley constituency, although she is not from the north-east, she contested the election there and won. Since she became palrep, she totally ignored the people and let a little, the school she once loved so dearly. With her then popularity, if she had not forsaken the people there would be no need for Mr. Hyacinth or St. Jean to step in. But to cover for a departed palrep, we hearing all this crap.
Also, the government knew what needed to be done at the school as we all know. In November of 2011 we all remember the protest by the people and yet nothing was done. Furthermore, they had a long summer to do the repairs and did nothing. Because the PTA is theatening to protest on the first day of school, Mr. Hyacinth and the lazy visionless government are now rushing to do the repairs the same week school will be opened.
Gloria Shillingford (Nee Dodds) was born and grew at Wesley. Her parents were also from Wesley and so is her husband. So to claim that she is not from the northeast, I would simply ask that you check your information’s accuracy before publishing same.
Political gabbage from the likes of Q95 and the nonsense of the uwp…young man…please use your time wisely
I thought you were not listening to Q95…. It seem to be a thorn in your flesh… The most listened to Radio Station On Island!
I always know Gloria from Wesley, born and grew up there with her other siblings including Rev Dodds, Pls check your fact first
“The Truth Offends” your name is so right, because you know the children vandalized the school but you putting politics to hide your poor parental skills in helping the situation. Poor you. I know you and have heard u convey those same sentiments
You people are so darn sick, that you talk about people that you do not know as if you know them from the day they were born. If Gloria is not from the North East, where did you give birth to her?
I you want to say she failed as a government minister, say so, and plenty of us will agree with you I can tell you if you proclaim that Gloria is not from the North East, I can say you are mad!
And be careful what you say about Hyacinth to because I will get you for that also.
Hahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahah!
I am certain Gloria is from Wesley, how do I know that?
I am certain that she was born in Wesley, because her late father Jonathan Dodds (Dods) is my biological uncle, and my late mother Yvonne Dods is Gloria’s biological aunt, we all are born in the great village of Wesley. Gloria was born Dods, she became Shillingford by marriage to Mr. Shillingford, whom just happens to be the son of my biological aunt, by my father, Viola Joseph.
So you need to know what you are talking about before you claim that Gloria was not even born in Dominica!
Francisco Etienne-Dods Telemaque
They think that they are harming the PM when they destroy Government property.
Well they are stupid. Leave the politcs aside and do not destroy public or private property. The PM already has his education. Who are you hurting? This is a crimminal act and should be treated such. Parents get a handle of your children. I am raising 3 children in the US and they would not dare vandalize their schools. Whose the boss? The person who pays the bills. They need a good talking to and spanking. Why are the parents afraid to discipline these children. Leave the school for the students who take their education seriously. I’m not from the NE but I am Dominican. All positive, no negative.
Students,parents, grandparents, guardians and other family members as well as residents of the surrounding villages let us keep in mind that the school is ours to protect from vandals.Its for us and our educational development.Its our responsiblity as citizens to teach our children to respect themselves and their school.It’s not cool to destroy any school,heath center or any other public building.Keep in mind that the school is not mr Skerrit’s school.It’s ours.We’re only hurting ourselves and our brothers and sisters when we participate in or condone such acts.If you see something contact the police.