Twenty one schools to remain closed

school closedThe Ministry of Education and Human Resource Development conducted an assessment of the 75 school plants on the island following the passage of Tropical Storm Erika on August 27.

Based on that assessment, we have concluded that the physical structure of several schools have been affected in one way or another.

Our main objective is to ensure that our students, teachers and principals are able to operate, teach and learn in an environment that is safe, healthy and conducive to learning.

We have therefore assessed the access routes to schools located in areas where roadways have been affected as well as conducted structural assessments of schools buildings to ensure that students are not exposed to further danger while in the classroom. We have also considered that some schools are still without pipe borne water and as such we will have to find alternative means of providing water.

In light of these considerations the following schools will remain closed until further notice:

In the West:

-Coulibistrie Primary School
-Salisbury Primary School
-Pioneer Preparatory
-Convent Prep
-Massacre Primary
-Berean Christian Academy

In the North:

-Calibishie Primary School
-Colihaut Primary School
-Dublanc Primary School
-Temple SDA
-Thibaud Primary School
-Woodfordhill Primary School
-W. S Stephens Primary School

In the South:

-Bagatelle Primary School
-Newtown Primary School
-Pichelin Primary School
-Petite Savanne Primary

In the East:

-Delices Primary School
-Jones Beaupierre

Secondary Schools

-Orion Academy
-North East Comprehensive School

All schools not listed will reopen on Monday September 14, 2015. Dominica Grammar School will open only for the 4th and 5th formers in the new wing.

The Ministry of Education is actively seeking to secure water tanks for schools with no water.

All parents are advised to send their children to school with drinking water.

Students without all their necessary supplies (uniforms, books, materials) should still report to school.

The Ministry of Education will continue efforts to ensure that all schools are safe and ready to accommodate students in the shortest possible time.

In the meantime, we encourage the public to work collaboratively with us to return our education system to normalcy.

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37 Comments

  1. historian
    September 14, 2015

    yes indeed I recall that unlike the pudits of today of truth be told PM-OJ Seraphin began the free school bus program in the then carib indian territory ..a fact that historians have hidden.
    there were 2 school buses donated by internatioanl donors to guarantee that children of the territory not only got to go to the 2 new high schools in the north which grew after DAVID but to get there in Marigot and Londonderry
    Hurricane David created the opportunity and began the revolution of high schoolers from the north and the carib terrtory in partcular ..thank you O.J one day your people will recognise your efforts during our worst disaster ever!
    What new can we create now .?.how do we benefit fron this storm ?

  2. CLARITY
    September 14, 2015

    I distinctly remember that after Hurricane David that PM -OJ Seraphin arranged for children to attend schools in ST LUCIA BARBADOS AND THE FRENCH ISLANDS etc… Simeon Joseph EDUCATION Officer was in that group with many others ..son of the then AG Eustace Francis -Norman went to st lucia and Norman is now a successful Lawyer there as welll as 2 of his children ..who are also attorneys!
    There were many who received emergency visas to meet relatives in the USVI as well .
    Indeed the ST ANDREWS high school was an emergency post DAVID INSTITUTION of which the then PM was never given the appreciation for the institution which gave birth to the noth eastern high schoool .The ST ANDREWS high school as indeed the Foudation High school which sprang after David was the foundation of the education of the carib nation
    We need to reach out to the faith based communites in the OECS to accept children fortheir continued education purposes particularly those disaplaced as in PETIITE SAVANNE…

    • The Real Facts
      September 15, 2015

      You realize that this is an expensive venture for the government. It may not cost much for accommodation if they have trustworthy relatives where they could room and board for at least less.
      I am wondering if the government has had time to as much as think of that.

  3. Dominica
    September 14, 2015

    The schools should be opened today even if it doesn’t have water.I mean like when schools open there gonna have plenty work to do.Plz open school tomorrow.

    • The Real Facts
      September 15, 2015

      If the water is clean at home, the children could bring their own water.
      Consider using the washrooms. Water is required to flush them.
      It was also stated some of the schools are still unsafe.

  4. lyndon pascal
    September 14, 2015

    Wat of the Wesley primary school Wesley has been without water since the storm passed.

  5. Hmmm
    September 14, 2015

    So why DOWASCO not making the North East a priority. Up to this moment Wesley and Woodfordhill haven’t gotten water. Some parts in MARIGOT and Calibishie have. Yet the high school is in Wesley so it has no water. This is a school with over 500 children!!! Seriously Dowasco! You don’t even see a DOWASCO vehicle in the area! Why they always neglecting us up here I dont t know. Our 4th and 5th formers need to continue their cxc preparations!!! Like come on!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

  6. derp
    September 13, 2015

    but Berean Christian Academy got destroyed

  7. Saint
    September 13, 2015

    Temple Seven Day Adventist school has already taken its own measures and will be open tomorrow as plan

  8. who you know
    September 13, 2015

    Calibishie government school has water,so why it isn’t open can any body tell me why

  9. The Real Facts
    September 13, 2015

    Parents of the children who will not be able to attend school must do their utmost to keep them busy in some sort of studies. No doubt they are anxious to return to school. If some schools are deemed unsafe, for their protection, they are advised not to report for school. They have some school, text books. For the time being they should keep occupied with them.
    Students do not waste your precious time. You could also spend some time in prayer for D/ca and other nationals. If you are able to assist someone or some people, please do so. When you think of others, assist them and also pray for them, you will not have time to be bored. This is keeping busy and fruitful.

  10. From the north
    September 13, 2015

    From the North

    DNO

    Why did you leave out Bense Primary in the north. That is the first school that the Minister mentioned in the Northern District.

  11. somebody
    September 13, 2015

    can somebody tell me if Colihaut and Dublanc are really in the North? i grew up hearin it’s part of the West Coast. Plz clarify this for me someboddy

    • who vex vex
      September 14, 2015

      To me colihaut west

    • world peace
      September 14, 2015

      somebody, colihaut and dublanc is in the north west. so saying it is on the west is ok, as well as saying it is north of the island but the precise geographical location is really north west. that shouldnt be difficult to understand. Geograhy 101.

    • somebody
      September 14, 2015

      thanks

  12. Passing cloud
    September 13, 2015

    CONFUSION, CONFUSION, CONFUSION!!! A week ago the minister said all high schools were to be opened on Sep. 9, while primary on Sept. 14. Based on that announcement of Monday September 7, one would conclude that all the necessary steps to ensure that the safety of all students, all teachers and all principals was alreadytaken for the Sept 9 opening, and ensured that teachers were able to operate, teach and learn in an environment that is safe, healthy and conducive to learning. But apparently no such thing was done!

    Talking about safety? Here is a government that is not concerned about safety of anyone because if they were, they would have taken all precautionary steps to ensure NO ONE was put in danger before announcing reopening of all schools on September 7, 2015.

    In a real world, The Minister would be fired for making such idiotic announcement. In fact had it not been for TS Grace that was eminent, which cause people to call, ALL schools would be opened and all would be in…

    • My-views
      September 13, 2015

      What’s your point? You are CONFUSED….sorry about that. The government is taking precautionary measures , which is why all schools will not be opened on the 14th of September as anticipated. Yes, they mentioned that schools would reopen on certain dates, but if everything is not in place at ‘a presumed’ date , how do you expect them to have people in buildings that are not safe? They are trying to get things done as quickly as possible. Have some patience. ROME WAS NOT BUILT IN A DAY

      • Da massive
        September 14, 2015

        They are confused…cuz everyone know north east wasn’t going to be getting water until,October woodfordhill also…mr st Jean needs to take his time get his facts together then circulate the info

    • People will complain whatever is said or done; therefore, Mr. Education Minister, you and your team are the ones charged with the difficult task of teaching the children as well as the safety of the children, the teachers and the schools. These are trying times and we hope all parents and guardians will work together with you and have one objective, to make this period in Dominica run as smoothly as possible for all the children. We appreciate all what you are doing in this difficult situation.

    • Passing cloud
      September 14, 2015

      Wow! I didn’t think my comment would generate so many dislikes. It will soon be “hidden.” I guess folks feel I am to negative, so let me correct it by being more POSITIVE and optimistic so I could get some favorable ratings.
      Thank you ministry of education for removing all confusion from my mind because we know the announcement of all HS schools were to be opened on Sept. 9, and all primary on Sept 14, was made by the opposition, without even checking to ensure all schools were safe and conducive for teaching and learning.
      The opposition must learn to get their facts straight before they run to make announcements. The government is doing a great job! A week after UWP declared all schools were safe and conducive to learning, the smart government, took their time to check on all of our 75 schools and saw 25 of them were not safe! If the smart government had just opened all schools on Sept 9 and 14, we would put teachers and children of 25 schools in danger. Just a passing cloud

      • Cliff
        September 14, 2015

        STFU ignorant fool.

        Daring admin to put up this comment…plz. Pure nonesense. Passing cloud my foot

  13. The Evangelist?
    September 13, 2015

    Folks, I know DNO might not even post our comments and if they do, I know I will get lots of “thumbs down”, but I was taught to be a good reader and in order to do so, I must go back to previous articles to see if there is cohesiveness. Here is an announcement by the education minister on Sept. 7th, 2015, a week ago.

    “All secondary school students should report to school on Wednesday, September 9, while all primary schools will open on Monday, September 14, Education Minister Petter Saint Jean announced on Monday.” Notice he said “ALL.”

    Today the ministry is announcing that 21 school will not be opened. If it were because of TS Grace we I understand them. However, but according to them is because of Eric. I must conclude that this administration doesn’t have a clue of what they are doing. I mean how does a government announce ALL schools would open after such a devastating storm, before assessing all schools and school routes?

    These guys are truly behaving like bo

    • The Evangelist?
      September 13, 2015

      I meant to say if it were because of tropical storm Grace, I would understand them. But the article says it is “following the passage of Tropical Storm Erika on August 27.”

      I hope The Real Fact reads the entire story before saying I like to criticize the government. They sure acting like they foo and little boys playing with toys.

      • The Real Facts
        September 13, 2015

        :lol: :lol: :lol: Whichever caused the schools not to re-open, I do think the major one was due to Erica. Then more flooding on Friday.
        If I were you I would not delve into this so much. Those poor guys are extremely busy and trying to organize matters. They have a lot on their heads, brains, shoulders, hands and on their plate. They must be exhausted.
        Personally, I would not want to be in their situation. Give them a break. I would not admonish them. Simply overlook it. This is not the important issue. The situation is extremely bad. Go easy on them. Sad that so many schools will not re-open soon.
        Pray for D/ca and other nationals; those who were affected, the parents and children. Pray that soon enough the schools will be re-opened. God help them.

    • My-views
      September 13, 2015

      Bondiere….Well sue them then.

    • Just saying The Evangelists? because you seem so perfect and not of this world; may I point out to you that the Tropical Storm was Erika and not Eric. God it is so difficult being non-human, because I am such any human would have known what the Minister meant. Just as I am sure you meant to say Erika.

      • Alfred hitchcock
        September 14, 2015

        Way to go Doubting Thomas, my sentiments exactly!!!

      • Woyeeee
        September 15, 2015

        Well said! In your face!

    • Alfred hitchcock
      September 14, 2015

      Because they are not as smart as you and these are bad times for everyone concerned so instead of Monday morning quarterbacking, why don’t you volunteer your expert services and help out. I am sure that your expert help would be welcomed.

  14. Orion Academy
    September 13, 2015

    Please be advised that water has been restored at Orion Academy as of today and we will resume school as planned on September 14th , 2015.

    We wish to thank Dowasco for working over the weekend to restore water at the school.

    Administration
    Orion Academy

    • Passing cloud
      September 13, 2015

      @ Orion Academy, the ministry said your school is not safe and will not be opened tomorrow. I know you mean well, but this is a legal issue and if the ministry says it is not ready and you take it upon yourselves to open it and something happens to a teacher, student or even parent, Orion Academy will be held responsible.

      • Orion Academy
        September 13, 2015

        Please note that as stated in the release some schools were mentioned because they did not have water and provision were not yet in place. As such, given that we now have water restored and had plans in place to provide water for our students, we will open as planned and there are no legal issues involved. Thanks for your concern however.

      • Parent
        September 14, 2015

        You have no idea what communications took place to place the school on the list in the first place, just as you have no idea why the school is opening on sep 14. You are not behind the scene so get your facts straight.

      • world peace
        September 14, 2015

        Passing Cloud. orion academy is a private school.

      • world peace
        September 14, 2015

        Dont u know that orion academy is a private school. so they are responsible for their school not the ministry of education

    • Thanks OA
      September 13, 2015

      Thanks for the update. That’s great news

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