Prime Minister Hon. Roosevelt Skerrit has announced plans to implement reforms to Dominica’s education system, describing the current model as outdated and harmful to students’ development.
Speaking at a press conference on Monday, May 26, Prime Minister Skerrit announced that a national symposium will be convened in June to guide urgent changes, which he hoped could take effect as early as the upcoming school year in September.
The Prime Minister criticized the current structure in which primary school students are taught as many as 13 subjects, calling it “ridiculous.” He proposed a streamlined curriculum focused on English, Mathematics, Social Studies, History, and Social Science, in addition to practical life skills such as agriculture, carpentry, art, and civics.
“We’re not building a culture of collaboration. We’re not building a culture of cooperation. We’re not building students with analytical skills and critical thinking and comprehension,” the Prime Minister lamented as he emphasized the need to recognize different learning styles, talents, and intelligences.
The Prime Minister said extracurricular activities such as music and sports should create settings for children to work and play collaboratively.
“I don’t think another school year should come, where we place children in depressing situations. And if we lose that opportunity, we are going to lose a generation,” he cautioned, adding that the education system should be tailored to today’s realities, including technological advancement and artificial intelligence.