Govt Pays $5 Million Students Tuition; and $15.7 Million for Social Security

The government has shelled out $5 million for foreign students’ tuition and housing needs, with further plans to release $15.7 million to Dominicans affected by the COVID-19 pandemic through the Dominica Social Security (DSS).

The tuition payment for Dominican students studying abroad will serve to keep them in school while the social security fund will ensure that island residents who lost their incomes as a result of coronavirus can live comfortably without stress.

We remain committed to our students who are studying overseas. Just last week, we made a payment to our students on the tuition in the amount of $5 million to ensure that their rent and their housing are paid.

Hon. Roosevelt Skerrit: Prime Minister of Dominica

He explained that the government is not legally obligated to pay for the students or to even fund the DSS programme, but the “compassionate nature of the government” will not allow it to look away without making adequate provisions for the education and welfare of all citizens home and abroad.

The prime minister also stated that government has provided enough loan facility to be disbursed through the AID Bank to eligible business owners, and that the loan will assist businesses to stay afloat and take care of all expenses during this coronavirus period.

We shall hold your hand during this difficult period and so that when we come out of this, we come out of it a better people, a more united people.

Hon. Roosevelt Skerrit: Prime Minister of Dominica

Meanwhile, 38 Dominican students studying in Cuba have been returned home to the country and are presently undergoing the mandatory 14-day quarantine period in Portsmouth. Another 34 students and five crew members from the Norwegian Cruise Line have also returned to the country and presently in quarantine. According to Health Minister Dr. Irvine McIntyre, there is no community transmission of coronavirus in Dominica and the country has zero active cases at the moment.

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