Dominican students are back in the classroom face to face, today Monday 7 September, the first time since the advent of the COVID-19 pandemic back in March 2020.

Education Minister, Hon. Octavia Alfred says that while the Ministry has decided to open, it is aware of the challenges and praises praised stakeholders who worked together to ensure that the students were fully engaged while online.

“The past six months have been full of lessons for our education system. I acknowledge the role and the enormous impact of teachers and principals in the lives of our students; and that of their parents and community in ensuring that our children continued to access learning throughout this difficult period. The experience reminded us of the resolute spirit of our education fraternity”.

She said further, “I am confident therefore, that we will continue to find new and creative ways of teaching and engaging our students, new ways of assessing, new tools and platforms and new understanding of the need for professional collaboration”.

Hon. Alfred calls on everyone to follow the guidelines set forth by the ministry and to ‘remain strong and steadfast, placing the well being of our children always at the forefront of our minds’.

She says that ‘the Ministry stands ready to provide support to principals, teachers and parents to ensure that our children continue to learn and thrive in safe environments’.

Schools in Dominica moved to online platforms during the third term of the last school year because of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Photo Credit: Claudette Wallace

Photo Caption:Students at Roosevelt Douglas Primary School