Prime Minister, Roosevelt Skerrit, has announced the government intends to make internet service available to every secondary school on the island.
He made the remarks at the presentation of tablets to the government from an agent of the Economic Citizenship Program on Tuesday
“Every class will have access, and even out of the classroom, on the school compound, they will have access to the internet, as we now have at the State College,” he stated.
Skerrit went on to state that wifi will also be made available in public areas, as has already been done at the Botanic Gardens in Roseau and selected playing fields.
“And also in public spaces, in certain designated public spaces, to have wifi. We already have it at the Botanic Gardens,” he stated. “It has been done at certain playing fields across the country, because you know, when we have sports, people are taking photographs, they want to share it with the rest of the world. There is a match taking place, you want to carry it live, and you need an internet connection.”
This initiative, he explained, will help to expose and promote Dominica to the rest of the world.
“So it’s all an effort in promoting sports, promoting the use of technology, allowing us in a positive way to show what is good in Dominica,” he said.
Skerrit also called on Dominicans to positively showcase their homeland on the internet.
“I think, too, our people must use the internet and access to the worldwide web with a means of promoting Dominica,” he remarked. “Taking photographs of the beautiful aspects of our country, and posting it, and sharing with the rest of the world, to the point where they, themselves, would like to come to experience it.”
The Prime Minister highlighted some of the benefits of the technology he hopes to bring to serve the lives of the country’s citizens better.
“There are so many potential benefits to the use of this technology. It’s not only about playing games, and searching for things which really cannot elevate us. It’s about ensuring that we can improve our lives, improve our way of thinking, improve our capacities, and our fellow men and fellow women in the country,” he said.
The tablets were presented to the government by Apex Services.
It’s really a pleasure to come on DNO for jokes and laughter. This man reminds me a lot of Pharaoh of the Egyptians. What ever “access” he gave to the Israelites were limited. Just enough to keep them in bondage. But the Almighty God said to him through His servant Moses, “LET MY PEOPLE GO.” Skeritt must resign and let Dominica go.
why are we not hearing what you Skerrit doing for the storm victims since all other ministers in your cabinet are voiceless?
it would be far better situation if parent of these children had a job to be able to buy the tablets it is all about slef respect
and progress
Seriously, people can’t you see Skerrit is sitting there smiling with his dimples on his cheek, as if nothing is wrong with the country, his face of innocence, like that of a snake; is the deceiver, and the down fall of Dominica.
I can’t help but laugh, because this man is making belief that running some telephone wires into a school, and open an account to gain access to the Internet is a big deal. I have Internet in my cars. I have it on cell phone, and in my house, plenty people has the same thing!
Man do something such as building a International Airport, which you can leave behind as your legacy; and which will cause both foreign nationals, and Dominicans living in the Diaspora to return home more often, and which will ultimately attract investors into the country. Like a pappy-show you have signed more agreement than any prime minister in the world to build hotels, do you believe people are so dumb to build hotels in a country where an International Airport is…
Do you believe people are so dumb to build hotels in a country where an International Airport is invisible?
How are they going to keep their rooms filled if the overnight tourist do not come? Are you going to pay for you supporters to fill the rooms? I have a very strong felling, that you lie to potential hotel investors promising them by a certain time you will have an International Airport built.
When the day you promised construction will get started, passed and no airport gets started, they simply drop the idea and run. I believe that is the reason the Moroccan is standing there incomplete!
You see, Skerrit, to some people money means nothing, they will spend millions into something, however, when promises are not kept, and one keep lying, some investors hate that; they prefer to count their losses and move on! Scout the Skerrit you will find whenever,business is conducted in bad faith, the result is always similar to the Moroccan fate!
Dominica has come a long way because other islands haven’t even reach to make free internet access in Secondary Schools. Thank you PM.
Shut up you idiot, when you are making such stupid comments make reference to even one particularly country or island without Internet in schools. The system has been around a little over forty years. Children in the most remote areas in Africa, and place in Asia was afforded battery operated computers to access the Internet via satellite!
Where was Skerrit when that was happening, you all are behind the times; however, will not accept it. Skerrit babbles right now about Internet, so to you Dominica is first to introduce Internet in schools.
Your backwardness has no end! Don’t talk to me about Internet, because it was invented and discovered at a University right here in Los Angeles, walking distance from my house you see! The first search engine was invented by a Barbadian living and working in Canada. So your and Skerrit anxiety about Internet arrived late!
More than thirty years too late; how is that going to help Dominica economically?
Every time this guy opens his mouth it’s always “poopoo”that comes out, and we know he is poopoo because it’s just promises and promises.
Guy,when will you ever fulfill a promise?
Mr PM I have asked u to come clean about our passports which are being sold. I do not want my family being embarrassed when they travel. As our Dominican passports are in the possession of criminals.this s my only concern.. You and your cohorts and all your sales women who have no respect for Dominica and Dominicans.must give Dominica these millions of dollars which you have stashed away… We need these money to build Dominica to make her proud again. . Get us this money and get it quick.. I do hope that your child mother of your first son is being investigated.. There should be no mercy for you and your band of thieves… Mr Alibaba. And I will warn u forthwith. As of now u better stop immediatly and refrain from selling one more,passport. Stop your tricks I am fed up..Stop your tricks,,, what we as patriotic Dominicans should do is to find out where you have these monies in which Banks and we should request that these banks give Dominica these Monies. i
Trojan horse people are we such fools
All that money Skerrit give for free to bribe people before elections, and pay plane tickets and our Secondary schools still have no internet? Are Dominicans blind?
It’s quite ironic that the majority of these comments are railing negatively against a move to make internet access available to more people when the very reason that you all are able to express your views here is because you have access to the internet. But I guess it’s insane to expect people blinded by politics to be reasonable.
If you have to go to the garden and don’t have road you feel trap and having the internet what will you benefit from that and who is going to pay the bills , there are so many things that’s there to be done so the PM have to come better than that, or does he believe saying school children getting internet will sweep the topics of Passport/Citizenship and corruption under the rug it will not do.
The people are on the move and showing that they are ready to take there Island back and internet is not a top priority at this moment we need roads and bridges repair or rebuild so we can get back to developing the Island and get back to our gardens or people need to feed their families pay their bills plus .
So why don’t you think before you speak because you have undiluted loyalty.
All schools already have internet access. Lime provided it free.
I wonder when will those Labourites get some brains in their heads?
For five years the passengers have been on the boat NG express des isle but they can’t find the captain on caribbean shores.
Is this the BIG announcement for the new year he made mention of at his year end speech in 2015?
It is appalling in this day and age one country is still discussing the prospects of making internet available for “some” children. Every now and then i’m reminded how poor, backwards, ignorant and 3rd world Dominica really is. How do we continue to vote for leaders who are this dumb and inconsiderate of our children’s future.
Dear Madam/Sir, you will be surprised to know what a little free food, such as some white flour, rice, sugar, and a single sheet of plywood can do! Skerrit knows he dose not have to do anything important, nor significant in the country to remain in power!
Dominicans know they are suffering all because of Skerrit’s failures, and incompetence, they are crying everyday, they will continue to cry until the next election, when Skerrit come along again and bribe then with some food, which cannot feed then for seven days. I hate to be repetitive, but Dominica under Skerrit is doomed, there will never be any progress under him for the rest of Dominica’s existence.
Prior to the last election, Skerrit hand pick an entourage from his cabal claimed they are going to Asia (the Orient) to get investors to come to Dominica. Peters among them; they returned: How many investors followed? He ran to China to get money to build Airport, where is the Airport? That guy is simply and…
So Dominica\’s PM is turning schools into marketing vehicles ? Whatever happened to schools as places of education ? This isn\’t progress, it\’s embarrassing.
Stuppessssssssssssss! A drowning man will catch at a straw.Skerrit this is a veryIC thing you should not be bla blaing about.
This is not the preserve of schools in Dominica only.Your lazy,inept and incompetent DLP islate with respect to that Sir. I would rather you tell us about your numerous sojourns overseas to raise money for the island post Erika..How much money have you raised? How much has Baronnes raised?How much have the agents selling our passports raised!!!!The country was already comatosed before Erika, now it is on intense life support since Erikas devastation.PLEASE DO NOT SEND ME TO SUCEY SEL according to Baronnes vulgar rumshop insult to a section of my country’s population.
Nothing to do with our youth becoming more intelligent, or investment to education of our people or better access to information.
It is the continued scheme of selling our Dominica passport, as well as selling our diplomatic immunity afforded by the possession of our diplomatic passport. How many times such deals have been hidden from the people? only when investigations and information revealed about those secret deals that Dominicans get to know.
Has Skerritt told Dominicans about all those other foreign and DA based agents, like Apex services, granted license/permission/ to sell our passports?
Tablets? The agents appointed by Skerritt, once again, to sell our passports, have done recognized how easily fooled we have become, so they make their millions from selling our passports, a few benefiting, laughing all the way to the banks, and fool you with Tablet.
Hotel. hotel. hotel. all investors, hotel building. Which investor? Our Land given free. Passport to sell
you don’t have to tell us what to do on the internet, you are only doing a popular thing since all young people like to surf the net. you want to sound relevant and hip you are nothing but a …..my Dominica trade house .com
blah blah blah Skerrit these are the things you were elected to do. WHERE IS DOMINICA’S PASSPORT MONEY? Agents just scheming and running around the globe making millions of dollars at the expense of an impovrished people. WHERE IS DOMINICA’S PASSPORT MONEY ROOSEVELT MEDARD SKERRIT ET AL? The Shah or Iran had to bounce for injustice to his people, becoming and international nomad because not even his percieved allies the US, UK nor Canada gave him refuge, and more recently you have seen what became of Saddam Maduro & the likes. WHERE IS THE PASSPORT MONEY ? WHERE ARE THE MILLIONS COLLECTED THUS FAR FOR ERIKA VICTIMS? NO accountablity you’re just always on parade. I know this is your ploy make these clowns come with tablet and spread propaganda, IT WILL NOT WORK!!!
Dimple cheek boy soon you will have a complete baldhead like you Almost Nearly Cousin me! That is part of what stress does to people, specially those on who’s head lay the crown!
In any event your enthusiasm about Internet will be available in all schools is nothing new, that is a regular in most places on earth where the Internet services are available, in hospital, and even churches, so what’s your excitement?
Where are the jobs Mr. Skerrit, how many jobs have your administration created in almost twenty-years?
I just received information that twenty-million dollars are missing from a Bank in Dominica which might be government owned, can you confirm wether or not the news is true or false? I need to know if it is true, before I open my big mouth and run with that news! So, please help me Mr. Illustrious Prime Minister, let me have the truth!
Well, whatsapp going to take blows rofl
Thank you Mr. Prime Minister. We the people of this beautiful island will be holding you to your words. We know things are tight but the sooner the better. It’s a step in the right direction. Our people and visitors need it. I have been one of your fiercest critics but I applaud you on this one.
Thank you! I guess this must be the most important action point on your agenda for 2016. God help us!
chupessss the pm should know that most of the time school children are using the internet/tablet at school is not to do school work. They are are on facebook and porn sites during school hours. That internet self self can be a good thing but honestly the internet is one of the worst thing for these kids,,,you see them all the time on fb and watching music videos chatting bout silly n nasty things,,,hardly you would find kids doing constructive work. Since this internet era most kids are always busing chatting to each other on social media and posting photos.. they hardly spend time in their books…they actually spend more time on the net than studying..
These kids need parents that are educated about the use of the internet to guide them. Also as much as there are many negative aspects of the use of social media the mere fact that this technology is becoming so ubiquitous is still a good thing. Even if a child wastes their entire youth on facebook and watching porn at some point they’re bound to hit on something and come to the realization that there is a lot more to the MARVELOUS internet than porn and fb. But at the end of the day it all depends on the individual and there environment. I think we should probably take a hard look at those factors first. Sex existed long before the internet and the boastful attitude about promiscuity in Dominica existed long before we knew these technologies. So please stop blaming technology
I really believe that something is wrong with this man you know. The country is desperately in need of investment and growth, calls for disciplined leaders and a stable country and here we go again running about talking about internet access which really is the role of the Chief education officer. This is like replenishing stationery to a school, this internet business is not a luxury or a privilege. Wake up Skerrit or get out.
Don’t blame the PM he’s been giving u all the essentials that is needed to over thru him and u not taking it u just keep crying things are hard and nothing is been done to develop the island.
Dominicans you don’t know what you want I guess you like sousa cell
Mr.PM what r u doing about them millions of dollars …… The people of Dominica needs this money. Am also concerned my family won’t be able to travel in time to come as Dominica will be blacklisted based on all them criminals that are in possession of our passport. Give up the money to build a better Dominica and stop playing mind games….
I’m just confused how the leader of a country turned into a passport salesman instead of building industry and finding ways for the people to eat bread. Plus there is no report of the income from passport sales. America can’t even do proper background checks, I wonder how D/ca gonna handle those.
I support this initiative and hope it comes to fruition without any delay. The internet is a tremendous learning tool and and instant reference library. This should have been in place already, but better late than never.
hope you are also concerned about how its going to be financed. while it is a good initiative, as a tax payer i cannot afford it
Good observation. You will probably find Mr. Skerrit “persuading” a leading telecommunications company to foot the bill. Don’t forget the govt. still owns 20% or so of the local Cable & Wireless company.
‘TITIWI I support it too so the teachers can now guide the children in goggling My Dominica Trade House .Com, and all the other deals the government has been into recently including the Bitcoin issue, AMONG OTHERS. At the end of the day DICE song will become even more relevant as the theme of the lesson/class will be “do not allow yourself, my children to do as I do, selling my country through mydominicatradehouse.com; hahahaha.
how does a comment like this get so much thumbs down? smh something wrong with people in that country
“Every class will have access, and even out of the classroom, on the school compound, they will have access to the internet, as we now have at the State College,” he stated.”
I only wish teachers, students, and villagers will use the internet to educate themselves. For example, If they would choose to be positive, they could use the internet to google ‘PM Skerrit is not corrupt’ and they would be shocked to see how much information is out there to prove the opposite.
So yes, I support the words of the PM to make internet available to all secondary schools. One thing, let us not forget that same Skerrit promised the Kalinago people that he would make October 15 a holiday for them , by next year, if he won the then 2014 election. Well he won and we are now in 2016 and no announcement yet?
Ok!!! It seems that the goal of our dearly beloved most high supreme leader, his ultimate majesty, is to make Dominica the most technological advanced broke country on the planet. Doesn’t this guy know about the hidden dangers that wireless radiation possesses? Tell me how is this technological onslaught going to improve our lives when most of cannot even afford the cheapest data plan which is that lousy slow 2MBPS cable and wireless have on offer. And tell me what taking photos of Dominica and posting them all over the world going to do for our pockets? So many of us broke, hungry, and tired, don’t know where the next meal coming out but you thinking is tablet and internet people have time for? People like Skeritt see his way financially in life already so he can afford to give internet his undivided attention but the rest of us have to gwiyay every day just to survive.
Skerrit should have been ashamed to be talking about that in 2016 and it should not be limited to Secondary Schools only. You appear intelligent but deep down you are foolish. Maybe you should do your research and you’ll realize we get more radiation driving an automobile than we do from wireless internet. Don’t you realize that poverty, crime, and ignorance is almost directly derived from the lack of education? Maybe you should move from FL and find a place where people actually earn money.
Pointless!!! In other words what you are saying is there is only one way to die. Because a bullet straight to your head would kill you faster than cancer that means cancer wouldn’t kill you at all. My argument was not about what is most dangerous, but rather danger. Maybe you have researched too much so you’ve missed the point. There is much money to be made in Florida so I won’t leave to come to where you are. Maybe you should move here if you can and start living life a little. I use wireless internet every day and it hasn’t done a thing to me. My comments are only for amusement purposes. If you take my words seriously then you must be sick. My job provisions for me to be on my laptop all day so I’m just having fun posting these comments regularly. So go ahead and be mad if you want to.
What is the big deal about intrnet access Skerrit,give an account of the recovery effort………,pressure hit in you hard,its visible from the hair loss.