Dominica's government gave students an additional $7 million during 2016-2017

An additional $7.2 million for college students was approved for students in the 2016-2017 academic year, WIC News can reveal.

The move reflects what Prime Minister Roosevelt Skerrit described as his “government’s commitment to human resource development through tertiary education.”

“We're providing historic levels of funding,” he said.

"There has never been more money put into education ever before in Dominica, but we believe this will help every student from our country that is working hard to achieve success.”

The boosted assistance will benefit 287 applicants who have made requests for tertiary education assistance this year.

‘Essential for economic productivity’

According to the World Bank’s overview of the importance of tertiary education to developing countries, “good quality institutions, diversified options, and relevant, equitable and efficient tertiary education and research are key to ending extreme poverty and advancing economic growth.”

This aligns with Skerrit’s disclosure that he is convinced that an effective education system is indispensable to the development of the island, via achieving economic advancement.

“The government recognises that an educated human resource base is essential for economic productivity, political stability and social well-being,” he stated.

Analysis from Emmerson Anthony, WIC News reporter

A fundamental guiding principle of the education system in Dominica is the view that all citizens, regardless of gender, class, culture or ethnic origin have the ability to learn and should be accorded the opportunity to develop that potential to the fullest.

It is generally accepted that to secure the requisite modern labour force, standards of education and learning must be raised significantly.

This realisation was what catalysed major reforms in the education sector, to focus on enhancing the effectiveness and efficiency of the system. Equally important has been the issue of equity of access to educational opportunities.

In 2015, Minister of Education Petter Saint-Jean expressed similar sentiments.

But he explained that the accessing of government financing for education both outside and within Dominica was dependent upon students first attending the Dominica State College.

This stipulation still applies.

“Dominica State College is our premier institution of learning here”, Saint-Jean noted, before adding that “as such we must take seriously, our own indigenous institutions here on island.”