ROSEAU, Dominica – Education Minister Octavia Alfred, says while the online learning initiative is not perfect, it nonetheless provides an avenue for students to succeed in their academic pursuits in light of the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.
Students in Dominica learning online. Image taken from The Rotary Foundation.Alfred, who called for more understanding from the population as Dominican students navigate the new learning environment, said that the initiative had been put in place following consultations with various stakeholders including the Ministry of Health, Wellness and New Health Investments and the Cabinet ahead of the 2021-22 academic year.
She reminded citizens that there is in place regulations that limit gatherings and instruct that all places of instruction must remain closed.
“Additionally, we had to consider the vulnerability of our students to the threat of COVID-19. We have pre-schoolers, primary school students, secondary school students contracting COVID-19.
“We held on to the end to see if the conditions would be favorable enough to have face to face instructions, but COVID has not allowed us to do so,” the Education Minister said.
She told that there is in place a system allowing for the engagement of students “and it is not perfect, but it is one that if we follow it well, our students will succeed.
“We assure our parents that government is playing its part and the Ministry of Education considered all aspects of learning, all learning styles and all learners, because we are convinced that learning must continue,” Alfred added.
Dominica has recorded 24 deaths and 3, 893 positive cases linked to the coronavirus since March last year.
