Perform, perform, perform!

Education Minister, Petter Saint Jean
Education Minister, Petter Saint Jean

Education Minister, Petter Saint has warned that the Government will be forced to withdraw its assistance to Dominica State College (DSC) students who do not maintain an acceptable standard of performance.

Speaking at a DSC orientation ceremony on August24 at the institution’s Stockfarm campus, Saint Jean said students have a responsibility to “deliver” once they receive assistance from Government.

“When the resources of State are used to support you in your studies, you have a moral obligation to do your best in order to prove that the monies that we expended were well spent,” he said.

“If you as a young Dominican believe that you are entitled [to] financial aid by the State, let me say that it is not an entitlement. But as a responsible government we believe that we have a moral obligation to assist our citizens,” Saint Jean stated.

The Minister added, “…If you believe that you are entitled for financial support by the State may I say to you that you have a responsibility to deliver when once you have been assisted.”

“Performance has to be key so let me call on you to perform, perform and perform,” he added.

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34 Comments

  1. August 27, 2015

    Man I don’t know but you are so right keep it up .

  2. Malpardee
    August 26, 2015

    Please , they offering people schorlarship and the students still have to go up and down in govt office, and beg, beg for the money. Then have to leave college because they cannot get the money they promised. So tell me, where is the money to stop when they never get it in the first place. And i am
    Not making this up. It happened to someone i know.

  3. do as i say but not as i do
    August 26, 2015

    Peta, unless you blaze the trail and set the good example, your gel cochon talk will fall on deaf ears.

  4. August 26, 2015

    I find it rather interesting to hear the education minister say that when the resources of the state are used to support you in your studies, you have a moral obligation to do your best in order to prove that the monies that we (EXPENDED) were well spent.well well well that’s what expected from the yutes. as we all know children learn by the example of their seniors. the question is now did mr st jean and them make an example to the students to show them how it has to be done when the resources of the state is used on them? look at how the dominican people came out and voted for them.Aren’t those voters resources of the state sir, what happened to your moral obligation to do your best in order to prove that the votes given to you were well given?

  5. UserName
    August 26, 2015

    “If you as a young Dominican believe that you are entitled [to] financial aid by the State, let me say that it is not an entitlement. But as a responsible government we believe that we have a moral obligation to assist our citizens,” Saint Jean stated… I was looking forward to reading as a progressive government we are seriously looking at how we can make ACCESS to the college FREE for all nationals (Check out Castro and Maduro dem how they doing it) and thereby give all young Dominicans an avenue of seeking higher education because the Hon. Min also said “So the issue of the issuance of scholarships to our students, to our young people, one of the prerequisites to get yourself a scholarship to go to China, to go to Venezuela, or to access funding, is that you must complete your associate’s degree program at the Dominica State College,”. So DSC is a money making machine or a genuine attempt to revolutionize our tertiary education. Thee joke… issue of the issuance

  6. Denis Cooke
    August 26, 2015

    I totally agree with what the minister has said in this regard. Students should be expected meet at least a minimum level of performance once they receive government assistance, as it is in many other countries where students receive government assistance toward their studies.
    I also think work study programs, and internship programs should be introduced at the DSC, if they are not in place already.

  7. The Real Facts
    August 25, 2015

    He is correct. They are receiving government assistance and they are obligated to perform. No ifs or buts about that. Perform or else. Therefore, do your utmost to prove that you are capable and also as an act of appreciation to the government for its generosity and compassion on the less fortunate who are unable to pay.
    I reside in a country and students do not get free student assistance. There are conditions for obtaining government assistance. Once accepted by the college/university, if they qualify, they will be accorded a loan and also a grant. They must be attending college/university to receive it; not before. Then they are expected to repay the loan, once employed, within a certain period – not the grant. The grant is a gift and is not repayable.
    Therefore, I reiterate, do your utmost to study diligently and to graduate. This is primarily for your benefit and future in obtaining employment for your livelihood.
    I wish you well and God’s blessing.

    • The Real Facts
      August 25, 2015

      Generally, grants are to assist with personal matters as housing, etc. Their accommodation and personal expenses are taken into account.

      • EmpoweredDomniche'
        August 27, 2015

        And your point being???????

        Sub-standard performances are totally unacceptable and a pointless exercise. Award such assistance to those focused students who really want to excel and perform to their optimum. The College arena simply isn’t an environment to just be concerned with dressing up and showing off with clothes and gadgets, but more so an introductory prelude towards Higher Education, and what’s to be expected at University level.

        Just because one is given an educational grant, this doesn’t excuse them failing to put in the diligent work, knuckling down and progressing through study choice of programme. Otherwise such individuals need to seriously decide upon another journey towards attaining a qualification, as their current route may very well not be for them.

        Besides, it’s unfair on those students who are enthusiastic, proactive, and conscientious to embark on their educational journey, but couldn’t get a place, while some who have a place neglect to remain…

  8. mujahardin
    August 25, 2015

    DLP MEANING OF “PERFORM, PERFORM, PERFORM”

    Deceive, Deceive, Deceive.
    Lie. Lie, Lie.
    Prostitute, Prostitute, Prostitute.

  9. Harry Mack
    August 25, 2015

    Why should 92% of DSC students get financial aid from government and 8% left out? Who are the 8%? This being the case why doesn’t government declare Universal College Education for all and stop this apparent discrimination of this 8%.
    The DSC is a dumping ground for under achievers some of whom should not leave form three in secondary school and Peter St Jean is angry that their GPA is 0.9 and 1.2. I suspect Petter St Jean and most of the Cabinet would be within this GPA if they were given the opportunity to go to DSC, The one from Cottage I doubt he would make o.5. How can Dominica move forward with this situation of dunce cats, maybe they should divide the DSC into two sections the 4.0 GPA section for the 50 plus students who excel in the CXC and the 1.0 GPA section for the majority.
    Sum Ting Is Wung in dis place.

  10. Passing cloud
    August 25, 2015

    The words of these guys are like that of a passing cloud that always makes you think it’s going to rain but never rains. I mean after 15 years in office they have yet to perform and really just cannot perform, yet call on people to perform, perform and perform,” he added. Is he implying that the students are not performing or is he trying to tell them that no matter how well they perform when they leave school there is nothing in place to help them get employment? Here is the quote of the year:

    “When the resources of State are used to support you in your studies, you have a moral obligation to do your best in order to prove that the monies that we expended were well spent,” he said

  11. Jack
    August 25, 2015

    Great job my friend thats a country on the move speak the truth, tell the kids do not steal the toilet paper at the school and block the toilets with stones. If their grades is not 2.5 they should be kicked out. Every place over seas when Governments or colleges help pay for school fees they have to work on campass for their t utution .

    • EmpoweredDomniche'
      August 27, 2015

      Hear, hear, Jack and I also echo those identical sentiments as well, having gone through the process as a scholarship recipient – [financial aid/tuition/boarding/lodging] in the past, and worked tirelessly to get not just “a degree” but a very [decent degree] in the UK.

      Years later my son is now at University, and all the Bursaries, tuition fees, boarding/lodging he’s received, is conditional on his performance, attendance, behaviour and commitment to his studies throughout the duration of his degree, or risk loosing this and ultimately kicked off the degree course.

      There’s no FREE lunches in life and it’s about time you Domniche’ realise this, and endeavour to instill these principals in your offspring, instead of feeding them that old sorry rubbish, as if World and it’s mother owes them something……………strive towards excellence! Stop settling and passing on to your children the mediocre syndrome, as they’ll gladly present it in abundance in a neatly wrapped…

  12. ATKINSON
    August 25, 2015

    This man again. St jean and the red socialist government have it back to front. O.k so what does “deliver” means in the DLP_government world? Let me guess, delivering your vote and suppose for the DLP_cabal. And also what are the standards? A,B,C,D grades? Dam it will be a “D” meaning DLP :mrgreen:

  13. Her Majesty
    August 25, 2015

    Couldnt agree more. Some of them go up there to show off their shoes, chains, and ear rings. Oh I forgot their rides. Children of DSC PERFORM n make your country n parents proud.

  14. Views Expressed
    August 25, 2015

    Mr. St. Jean, empty thoughtless statement. I know of many students where some teachers and principals gave up on them and on the brink of expulsion, the question is where are they now….? They have excelled and doing good, exceptionally good and could be serving as your PS and Education Officer. Many Ministers served who were NOT qualified, politics got them into office and they were unqualified. Do you think sir that any minister now serving under this DLP government who are unqualified should be expelled asap or sent home? Please think sir. .

    Mr. Jean, many teachers have failed at Teachers college, many teachers are in the practice and un qualified under your watch…….so please watch your language and your threats. At a graduation students needs encouragements and support to move on as their learning comes at different levels.
    Students, look for role models to encourage you and biff you up, not threats from people who do not know what they talking about and its consequences.

  15. jr
    August 25, 2015

    Well said . If you are given financial aid you have to be accountable for it .

  16. Tutankhamen
    August 25, 2015

    Hmmmmph! I foresee a NICE “make bom for good grades” program shaping up at that college..

  17. Yuyu
    August 25, 2015

    Thank You Hon. Saint Jean for encouraging the students to perform to the best of their ability.

  18. Aiye Pays saha
    August 25, 2015

    Tell STATE COLLEGE to fiiiiixxxx up its business!! When you sit an exam, and you are being told that your marks have been lost, or they act like you were never registered for a course you completed, its not easy. many a student have dropped out of the DSC for that very reason. So before they can PERFORM PERFORM PERFORM…..DSC need to come straight. The Government self needs to be timely on the matter pf sending funds to the school, they are almost always late!!! State College, education should be free!!! Is nice d country nice.

  19. GOBAL FINANCIAL CRISIS
    August 25, 2015

    shutup… those people that performing not getting help.. you help is for labour support families

  20. Just Me
    August 25, 2015

    Rubbish… create a legal obligation then withdraw the assistance if necessary. Otherwise the students will feel no obligation to perform.

  21. August 25, 2015

    Hello and good afternoon my people. Well Mr Saint Jean what college degree you have for you to be lecturing our children about financial aid from our Government just because they want to better themselves…………..

  22. Francisco Telemaque
    August 25, 2015

    when he himself has no academics, politics is what got him where he is; acting like he is so damn smart when in fact he is an idiot!

    In a way he has every right to speak that way to those who have sold their body mind and soul to government, and put themselves in a position where they are totally dependent on government even for their education, that man is talking a lot of crap which in my opinion are nothing more than white droppings behind a hen, the foul looks around saw the white feces, and start crackling believing it lay its first egg! Big deal, there are community colleges all over the Caribbean, we do not read where government minister barking crap like we here in Dominica.

    • Francisco Telemaque
      August 25, 2015

      What appear to be the first piece of comment should have followed the second! In any event all that guy is doing is trying to prove that he is some genus, and he is going to be on DNO everyday of the week trying to make his presence know, pretending he is interested in people s education.

      Talking crap, however, he and his government makes absolutely no effort to secure job opportunities for the students after they graduate in two years. The man is so stupid, he went to St. Martin talking about recruiting students to come to Dominica to study.

      Study what at a community college when there might be a University in St. Martin.

  23. Francisco Telemaque
    August 25, 2015

    You see how horrible these people are? They play politics with everything, all horses do not run at the same pace, everybody do not learn at the same pace. Some are slower than others; because they are slower than other persons does not mean they cannot learn!

    A community college is a place where people go to learn at their own pace. One accumulate credits per semester, if one takes eight or a full load of fourteen units, they may not be able to past every discipline they took with an A, or B., they may finish with a C or D, they may even fail, so what’s the alternative, they are allowed to retake the subject they fail for at least three times, that is how it works.

    In places like America where there are hundreds of colleges, if you are not allowed to take the same discipline at the same college, one simply move on to another until they accomplish their goal. The way that man is talking is like a frightened person, exhorting pressure on the unfortunate, when he himself has…

    • PONK
      August 26, 2015

      Are you serious sir? We love to compare our dear wonderful country to other countries and fail to understand the PRICe other countries have paid to be where they are. Please stop with your deception and lack of understanding. A community college is NOT a place to come in and take your time to complete your eduction. If you have to go to another college then you are doing yourself a great disservice. If you want to compare with America as you did , you should know very well that the cost is RIDICULOUS to attend ANY level of education. Just paying for housing and food is a burden. Please stop with your know so much deceptions yourself and stop being ANTICOUNTRY. I have been fully educated in the USA and went to college in DA first. My education in DA was top notch and place me FAR AHEAD of the pack. Please stop your nonsense. There is nothing the government says you can agree with? Further more although the USA has many opportunities for growth, my DA education was the best

      • PONK
        August 26, 2015

        education I have received in terms of the teacher’s commitment to excellence. Thanks Dominica for your investment in me. College students please PERFORM, PERFORM, PERFORM. You will not regret this. This has not been only my experience, it has been the experience of many- Perform there and you breeze through elsewhere. It is hard enough adjusting to a different culture if you study elsewhere. Knowing your fundamentals is key. Please please PERFORM. It is for your OWN good. It is NOT acceptable to take a course many times. just not!! If you need help seek it early. College is NOT for everyone. There are MANY successful people who did not go. Know what you are about and PERFORM if you choose to go. College in the US is a hard financial burden so this person here who says you can move on to the next is not realistic here that this comes with a HEAVY COST. BOTHE TIME and MONEY. TIME most importantly you can never get back!! PERFORM!!! Help each other PERFORM.

      • PONK
        August 26, 2015

        Good idea to proof read before posting :wink: Sorry folks. PERFORM!

  24. Cyrique
    August 25, 2015

    I totally agree with the Minister. Public funds are being used to provide these students with an opportunity for a good education which they would not have had otherwise. They should take advantage of the opportunity and put this to very good use. It is not economically viable to continue to invest public funds in someone whom does not maximise their potential. Well done Minister!

  25. chuk chuk
    August 25, 2015

    Hmmmm i see……take that, all you go see there is more to come.

  26. smh
    August 25, 2015

    lol…
    1. you are not entitled to financial aid but it is our obligation to provide financial aid to you
    2. if you believe you are entitled to financial aid, then it is your responsibility to perform academically as a result

    huh????????????????????????????????

    Okay Peta…

  27. Zandoli
    August 25, 2015

    Why don’t you apply the same moral imperative for your colleagues who manage (and I use this word very loosely here) the state’s resources as if it belongs to you.

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