Roseau, Dominica – A landmark milestone for Dominica’s education sector unfolded at Goodwill Parish Hall on Monday, as the Caribbean nation hosted its first ever National Schools’ Awards ceremony, celebrating 42 exceptional learners who posted exceptional academic results across the 2025-2026 school calendar. Presiding over the official gathering, Prime Minister Roosevelt Skerrit extended personal, heartfelt congratulations to each of the honourees, emphasizing that their standout results were not products of luck, but the direct outcome of relentless effort, consistent discipline, and unwavering determination over the past academic year. “You have not only exceeded your own personal academic benchmarks, but you have filled your families, your school communities, and every citizen of Dominica with immense pride,” Skerrit told the gathered students, educators and family members in his keynote address. The Prime Minister was quick to frame the national recognition not as a final capstone to their educational journeys, but as a launching pad for future growth, urging the young achievers to continue pursuing higher learning, set ambitious long-term personal and professional goals, and leverage their cultivated skills to drive tangible, positive progress for Dominican society. Skerrit went on to outline the nation’s urgent need for homegrown talent across a diverse spectrum of sectors, ranging from scientific research, civil engineering, primary and secondary education, sustainable agriculture, small business entrepreneurship, public health, creative arts, and a wide range of skilled technical professions. He stressed that no matter which career path each student chooses to pursue, they should approach their work with full commitment, uncompromising personal integrity, and a core focus on public service to their communities. Acknowledging that every young person in Dominica possesses unique, distinct strengths and capabilities, Skerrit reaffirmed the national government’s core commitment to building an inclusive education system that ensures every single child, regardless of background, has equal access to the resources and support needed to identify, nurture, and maximize their natural abilities. He also publicly endorsed the Ministry of Education’s planned expansion of the awards framework to include formal recognition for excellence in visual and performing arts, alongside critical domains including modern foreign languages, agricultural education, community service, cultural preservation, pastoral student support, innovation, creative problem-solving, and campus safety. The Prime Minister noted that this expanded, holistic awards structure sends a clear, defining signal about the type of education system Dominica is working to build: one that prioritizes strong foundational academic literacy and numeracy, while also equipping young people to think critically, collaborate effectively with peers, solve real-world challenges, take pride in their local cultural heritage, and become active, constructive contributors to national life. The cohort of high-achieving students recognized during the historic ceremony also included the nation’s top performers in the Caribbean Secondary Education Certificate (CSEC) examinations, marking a formal national tribute to their exceptional regional exam results.
Forty-two students honoured at Dominica’s inaugural National Schools’ Awards ceremony for academic excellence
