About $10.9 million has been set aside to sponsor 578 Dominican students for overseas study this year. This figure includes those already studying abroad on the benevolence of the Skerrit administration and those to still go this year. The Minister of Education, Peter St. Jean, made this revelation while speaking to journalists at the Newtown Primary School.
According to the education minister, the federal help extended to some of the students range from tuition to housing to full scholarships. This year, about 350 students will be travelling abroad to further their studies for the 2019-2020 academic year on the financial assistance of the Dominican government.
St. Jean said the government continues to do this even though the new budget for the financial year has not been presented in parliament. The fiscal year begins in July and it is expected that PM Skerrit who also doubles as the Finance Minister will present the budget soon for approval. Skerrit however is willing to endorse many of the full scholarships and financial assistance given to these indigent students going to study abroad this year even before this year’s budget is present in parliament.
“So even before we’ve gone to parliament, we have a commitment to young Dominicans,” St. Jean revealed. “We have already given commitment amounting to $10.9 million.”
Vince Henderson, Dominican ambassador to the United States, had words of advice to the travelling students:
There are a few things you must do. You are going out to improve your lives and that of your families. And hopefully you’ll contribute to Dominica’s development. You have to be committed, dedicated, and to a great extent discipled in your work. Many of you won’t have the time to enjoy yourself, because you’ll be away from home, away from what you’re used to, your family and friends. So it can be difficult but you must be determined to succeed, because you are on a mission and that mission must come to a successful end. You must tell yourselves that you represent Dominica at all times. Boy, I can tell you, I’ve had to deal with unpleasant reports from time to time. Our students make us proud most times, but there are few times we had to deal with some serious issues. So just remember that when you graduate with a perfect score, you make Dominica proud. But when you go and make trouble in people’s schools and you find yourself in trouble with the law, you bring shame to the country.
Vince Henderson: Dominica’s Ambassador to the United States
This article is copyright © 2019 DOM767
