The Government of Dominica through the Ministry of Education, Human Resource Planning, Vocational Training and National Excellence has started the distribution of electronic devices to students around Dominica.
This is a direct response to the challenges faced this school year, as a spike Covid-19 cases has reverted classes to an online platform. This decision was taken in a bid to keep staff and students safe without a major disruption in the academic year.
So far 55 students at the Tete Morne Primary, 122 at the Grand Bay Primary, 80 students at the Roseau Primary, 180 from the Goodwill Primary and 167 from the Atkinson, Salybia, Sineku and Concord Primary schools have received their new devices.
Minister for Education, Human Resource Planning, Vocational Training and National Excellence, Hon. Octavia Alfred explained that the distribution of devices was to have occurred prior to the beginning of the school year, but had to be delayed due to the pandemic.
Hon. Alfred stated that over three thousand devices have been sourced and will be distributed to students around the island.
“We were already planning to get devices to you by August. It didn’t happen at the time we wanted, but now we have them and you will get them. Two thousand, one hundred and ninety seven primary school students do not have their own device. So I am happy to announce that the Government of Dominica, through the Ministry of Education and with assistance from O.E.C.S and the World Bank we have acquired more than three thousand devices, and you students will get yours,” Hon. Alfred stated.
During the distribution of devices in the Grand Bay Constituency, Prime Minister of Dominica, Hon. Roosevelt Skerrit encouraged recipients and their parents to remember the efforts of their former Parliamentary Representative.
“I would have liked to be here under slightly different circumstances, certainly with the presence of my friend, Hon. Registe, your Parl Rep, who would have been so excited to be part of this ceremony. But even more so, for Tete Morne and Grand Bay to be among the first schools to be receiving the tablets in Dominica at the primary school level. So when you go home with these devices, both you and your parents, say a prayer for Ed and to thank the Lord for his efforts, because in large measure, we are here also because of his personal efforts in making representation on your behalf and so we will always remember his contribution’s and his legacy to this community and to our country,” Hon. Skerrit stated.
Member of Parliament for the Roseau South Constituency, Hon Chekira Lockhart-Hypolite urged parents to show interest in their children’s educational life.
“To the parents, I want to urge you to play a part in your child’s education because education can take you places that your children will never believe that they will be able to go to. You need education and they need their parents to walk side by side with them. I also want to thank the World Bank and the Government of Dominica for partnering with them to ensure that our children are not left behind,” Hon. Lockhart-Hypolite noted.
Meanwhile, Member of Parliament for the Salybia Constituency, Hon. Cozier Frederick added that these devices are proof of the Government’s commitment to education and the mandate that no child is left behind, noting that “we as a community have to support our students, our teachers, and we have to ensure that we give them an opportunity to learn.”