Results from Rosie Douglas Foundation (RDF)
/ Dominica Academy of Arts and Sciences (DAAS) 2002
Nationwide Focus Group Survey of Dominica High Schools
With editorial comments by Elizabeth C. Adrien, Athenia Benjamin, and Dr. Donald Peters
Introduction:
This report is a summary of findings from a focus group survey conducted with Dominica high school students on October 28th and 29th 2002, during the 2002 RDF/DAAS Symposium held in Dominica. The purpose of the survey was to understand, directly from the Dominica youth, what they considered the most pressing problems affecting the nation and themselves, and what solutions they propose. The study was motivated by the concerns of Dominicans at home and abroad who have contributed much resources and efforts to formulate the RDF and DAAS. These organizations aim at contributing to general quality of life among Dominicans at home and abroad. A two-pronged effort in this regard is (1) to generate better understandings about the problems confronting the Dominica populace; and (2) to work towards tangible and sustainable solutions. This study is an example of such an effort.
Conceptual Framework:
The conceptual framework of this study is based on grounded theory. Grounded theory advocated that understandings of social phenomenon are best produced “from the ground up.” That is to say, that a theoretical statement will be derived at the end of data gathering and analyses.
Research Methods:
The methods took the form of action research. Action research aims at gathering reliable data about social problems in a manner conducive to formulating social action. Authorization for this study was provided by Dominica Ministry of Education. To obtain a sample for this study, high school principals were asked to provide a random sample of at least five students from the 4th and 5th forms to participate in the focus group discussions. Students were provided busing to central locations. Students at the north were transported to Portsmouth Secondary School, while those on the south were brought to the Convent High School. What follows is a summary of the activities at those two locations.
Date: October 28th 2002
Location: Portsmouth Secondary School
Facilitators: Dr. Peter K. B. St. Jean; Dr. Donald Peters
Coordinator: Ms. Athenia Benjamin
Research Assistants: Principal Simeon Joseph, Marigot Secondary;
Principal Arthlene Douglas-Murdock (St. Joseph Secondary).
Northern High Schools
Represented:
- Marigot Secondary (total student population is 150 students)
- St. Andrews High School (total student population is 525 students)
- Portsmouth Secondary (total student population is 837 students)
Total Students
Present (120) (8% of total student population)
Total Represented
Student Population: 1512
Number of Focus
Groups: 5
It is unclear why Seventh Day Adventist High School students were not present.
Date of Event:
Monday, October 28, 2002 (3-5pm)
Procedure:
Minister of Education, Hon. Roosevelt Skerrit was present and punctual. He conducted the opening remarks by reminding the youths about the importance of education. He thanked the RDF/DAAS for the efforts to make this event a reality. He asked the youths to pay close attention to the matters to be discussed, express their honest thoughts, and think about ways to implement lessons learned from the discussion.
In his opening remarks, Dr. Peters elaborated on the importance of education and continuous learning in nation building. He informed the youths about opportunities and careers that they may be eligible to pursue in the future if they remained in school and graduated. He urged them to think critically, and become active in educating their parents and community in taking the responsibility of political leadership seriously. He pointed out that in 2002 people should not be electing their leaders by colors, but instead should develop qualitative and measurable standards of performance for leadership in government. He advised them to help their parents make informed decisions when choosing individuals to lead the country because in the final analysis, those decisions could significantly impact their lives. He asked students to stay focus on their education, don’t be afraid to speak out, and prepare themselves for college.
In his opening remarks, Dr. St. Jean told the youths that they were much further in life than he may have been at their age since he did not attend high school at all. He was told that his two time failure at the common entrance was due to his terrible hand writing. He urged students to continue working hard to reach their aspirations, and never let others place limitations on their minds, especially when these limitations are related to positive achievements for themselves, community, and nation. He urged students to develop a strong work ethic, be honest with themselves and others, and volunteer to serve their community and nation. He also provided them with some of his vast knowledge about causes of crime and social problems in society.
The facilitators and coordinator prepared a program entitled “Challenging Youths to Lead in the 21st Century.” Included in the program was a list of about 85 career options that students could pursue. Dr. Peters prepared this list to broaden students’ understanding of the career options since they seem to be limited in that regard. Students were divided into 5 groups and asked to respond to the following questions:
- ‘Based on information and data available to you, and your own experience, what do you think are three of the foremost issues of greatest concern to the nation and youth of Dominica?”
- What do you consider the best approach for addressing each of these concerns?”
Summary of the
Discussion:
The identified issues are summarized in Figure One. Percentages were calculated as follows: Each group identified three key issues. Issues were totaled across groups. The percentage = total number of groups that identified that issue / total number of groups.
Figure One: Key Issues
Identified by Dominica Northern High School Students on October 27, 2002
Note from Figure One that an overwhelming majority of the
students from the northern high schools identified economic and or employment
issues as most urgent in Dominica. They
believed that problems with perceived increases in crime and delinquency
combined to form the second biggest problem requiring urgent attention.
However, they believed that the economic/unemployment problems, and the
perceived increases in crime are closely intertwined. More specifically, they
believed that the economic situation was the key factor driving what they
perceived to be increases in crime. The
crimes mentioned were mostly violence (assault, robberies, wounding, theft, burglary,
drug use, domestic violence, and rape). The students also believed that there were increases in youthful
negative gang behavior. They wanted to
make it clear that they have observed increases in youth involvement in what
they considered both negative and positive peer groups. Some provided personal experiences, while
others relayed secondary information.
Note also from Figure One that the northern high school youths ranked what they perceived to be an inadequate educational system in Dominica as equally problematic as the crime problem. Their discussion of the education system was most closely associated with inadequate equipment and supplies; lack of trust in teachers; and an inability to prepare students for career trajectories that are most suited for the Dominica Milieu. They believe that the education system is too focused on test scores, and needs to focus more on preparing students to be strong employees and employers. They believe that more focus needs to be placed on small business management, and self-employment. The students were encouraged do all that they can to encourage curriculum changes in their schools, and think about careers most closely match to the needs of the nation, and their communities. Dr. Peters offered to pay for a student’s bachelor’s degree in Events Management, if any is interested.
Widespread AIDS, inadequate health care, and poverty; brain drain, and teenage pregnancy were matched as equally urgent and problematic. The youths believed that Dominica authorities made reasonable efforts to spread information about AIDS prevention, but those efforts need to be sustained, and taken seriously. The problems with inadequate health care are mostly associated to the lack of supplies at hospitals, and sanitary situations at home, especially in poorer households. Students linked health and poverty as intertwined. They spoke of unsanitary situations that are mostly associated to poverty, and style of life. They also mentioned that more Dominica students are in poor situations than anyone can imagine. They gave accounts of instances when fellow students attend school without having breakfast, and have no clear idea about lunch. They spoke of the various ways that hunger affects students’ behavior, academic aspirations, and self esteem. They believe that more needs to be done to ensure that students are well nourished throughout their lives. A few students recommended that there should be lunch and breakfast at school for those most in need.
Discussion of brain drain mostly centered around the belief that there is a paucity of employment for the more educated segments of the population. Students believed that most of this is due to the fact that most Dominicans must travel out of the island for degrees. Upon return to Dominica, their skills are not fully appreciated by employers. Persons educated overseas also get exposed to patterns of life that are more difficult in Dominica. As a result, persons remain in the locations where they study, or quickly return there once they have been in Dominica for short periods of time. All of the students expressed belief that the work ethic among Dominica, especially civil servants, is “very poor.” They gave accounts of experiencing what they believe to be poor customer service from government employees, and agents of utility companies. They question the work ethic of some of their teachers too. Students believe that the working environment can affect the work ethic of employees. Students were urged to do as much as they could to become more motivated workers than the current generation. They believed that part of the solution is to become self-employed.
Discussions about teenage pregnancy revolved around beliefs that parents do not cultivate strong enough relationships with their children. Strong relationships referred to trusting the youths and having the ability to speak to them openly about any problems or curiosities they may have. About 50% of the students believed that they felt comfortable to speak to their parents about any issue, including the feelings about sex. However, about 25% of them indicated that their parents are not prepared to handle such discussions. They argued that parents often get uncomfortable, and enraged when these topics are introduced. As a result, they are too intimidated to raise the topic, and try to learn on their own. Students also indicated that some of their peers are to be blamed for early pregnancy. They argued that even when students know exactly what they must avoid to become pregnant, they make the choice to do otherwise. Students mentioned that they knew many peers who got pregnant and there appeared to be nothing wrong with the relationship between themselves and the parents. It was simply a matter of bad choosing by the peer. They argued however, that many teenagers do not feel loved by their parents and believe that a baby, or the presence of a boyfriend will give them love, or the sort of attention that indirectly reflects love. The students advocate more quality time, and open communication between parents and students. Some of them indicated that parents should seek children’s advice on parenting. That could be an exciting and rewarding experience and exercise, they argued.
Throughout the discussions, students were encouraged to lead similar forums at their schools. They we reminded that the intention of the focus group discussion was to learn from them what they perceived to be the major issues affecting the nation and themselves. However, the intention is also for them to learn from this experience, and become leaders in positively shaping their own lives, and that of others.
At the end of the discussion, students and teachers expressed gratitude to the RDF/DAAS for making this event possible. They thanked Drs. St. Jean and Peters for their contributions. Ms. Benjamin thanked the teachers for allowing the youths to participate, the government and PSS principal for allowing the use of that school, the facilitators for their contribution, and the students for their intelligent and vibrant participation. Ms. Benjamin also reminded the students that they are special and should get involve in community building because they are Dominica’s Future. Refreshments were served. Dr. St. Jean informed students and teachers that a similar discussion would be held with high school students in the southern section of Dominica, and a final report will be circulated to their respective schools. He assured them that this was not the end of the process, and soon they will be asked to participate in a questionnaire completion exercise.
Focus Group Survey for Dominica’s Southern High Schools:
Date of Event
Monday, October 29th 2002 (3-5pm)
Location: Convent High School
Facilitators: Dr. Peter K. B. St. Jean; Dr. Donald Peters
Coordinator: Ms. Athenia Benjamin
Research Assistants: Principal Simeon Joseph, Marigot Secondary;
Principal Arthlene Douglas- Murdock
High Schools
Represented:
- Convent High School (total student population is 493 students)
- Grand Bay Secondary (total student population is 693 students)
- St. Martin’s Secondary (total student population is 306 students)
- St. Mary’s Academy (total student population is 420 students)
- Goodwill Secondary (total student population is 646 students)
- Dominica Community (total student population is 138 students)
- Nehemiah Comprehensive (total student population is 137 students)
- Isiaah Thomas Secondary (total student population is 720 students)
- Wesley High (total student population is 287students)
Total Students
Present (82) (2% of represented student population)
Total Represented
Student Population: 3840
Number of Focus
Groups: 6
It is unclear why students from Dominica Grammar School, and Castle Bruce Secondary were not present.
Procedures:
Same as written above under Northern High School Focus Groups.
Summary of the Discussion:
Figure Two indicates that the southern high school students identified 6 key issues. All (100%) of the focus group participants identified violence and drugs (sometimes referred to as “crime”) as one of the three most pressing issues affecting Dominica and its youths. This makes violence and drugs the most pressing issue identified by the southern high school students. One student raised the argument that if marijuana was legalized, there would be less problems associated with it because the problems seem to be more associated with enforcement than the physical harm caused by the drug itself. This comment was met with much support by other students, especially the males.
The second most pressing issue (80%) was identified as unemployment (sometimes referred to as “economic” problems). Problems with what is perceived to be an inadequately equipped educational system, and teen pregnancy were identified by 50% of the groups. HIV and other STDs, and foreign values were identified by 33% and 17% of the groups, respectively. The arguments that southern high school students advanced to justify inclusion of “crime,” HIV and other STDs, unemployment, the education system, and teen pregnancy were identical to that of the northern high school students. Therefore, they will not be repeated again. In analyzing my field notes, it is amazing to acknowledge how similar students from the two extreme ends of the island perceived, and expressed the problems that face their country in general, and themselves in particular.
However, in spite of these similarities, there are a few differences worthy of attention. Note that 17% the southern high school students identified foreign values as a current threat, and such was not identified by the northern high school students. When asked to articulate what they meant by foreign values, the students made reference to the notion that foreign culture, particular that of North America has been relentlessly penetrating the local culture. They explained culture to mean styles of life (such as career and educational aspirations; attitude towards family, community and nation); ways of self presentation (choice of clothing and the manner is which clothing is worn; desires for “body accessories” such as cell phones, pages, walkman as part of attire); artistic appetites (choice of music, dance, walk, and salutations (handshakes, and choice of terms used to greet each other). About 80% of the students believed that this sort of cultural penetration resulted from the recent bombardment of US television program (such as soaps, HBO and other movie channels, headline news, and documentaries). Perhaps the most profound expressions associated with the perceived threats of foreign values are captured in the following direct quotes from students: “You feel as if Dominicans, especially the young people, are only copying what I think are bad things from the US culture” (female student). Another student stated, “I think what we are saying is that sometimes when things happen here, people seem to act as if they are not in Dominica… as though they want to deal with it the way Americans would deal with it.” Most of the students believed that there is not enough attention placed on teaching them local history, and current events. Particular mention was made of the observation that some Dominican parents still believe that speaking Creole is shameful and disrespectful. The students condemned this attitude.
When students were probed further to explain the notion of penetrating foreign culture, they express belief that Dominicans are now at a state of confusion regarding what is happening with the economy, crime, and local politics. Therefore, they are, as one student puts it, “grabbing for straws” and the adaptation to perceived foreign ways of understanding themselves, expressing themselves, understanding others, and negotiation relationships with other people. The latter sentence is my interpretation of the combined statements made by students during the focus group discussions, and during subsequent discussions when I requested further clarification of “foreign values.”
Note also that 20% students from the northern high schools focus group made mention of brain drain as a threat, while this was not identified by the southern high school students as one of the top three issues. Discussions about brain drain were associated with the belief that Dominica is losing most of the best educated members of its population. Students believed that this is mostly because employers and supervisors in Dominica do not appreciate the talent of the more highly educated and self-motivated employees. Instead, those persons are perceived to be threats to the career mobility of their associates. Eventually, those persons leave the island to seek environments where their talents appear to be better appreciated. The students are also concerned about why so many Dominica nationals seem to produce very well when they reside overseas, and do not do the same in their own country. They believe that there appears to be a force that chases the better able, and most professional persons out of the island. They believe that Dominica must do more to retain its educated, and one way of doing so is to make more efforts to encourage Dominicans who have had great successes overseas to retire in Dominica. The students believe that the retired persons may be able to encourage activities that may be more conducive to retaining well educated and motivated persons. Some students also associated brain drain to individual urges for higher pay and prestige that appear not readily available in Dominica.
Another important distinction between the northern and southern high school students is that the northern students identified problems with the economy as the greatest threat to the nation and themselves, while the southern high school students identified “crime” (violence and drugs). I will explore the logic for this disparity in a future paper.
Crime and the Economy: The Number One Problem:
Table One outlines the 7 key issues identified by the students. Note that 80% of the nationwide high school representatives identified crime problems, and the national economy as equally the most important and pressing problems affecting the nation’s youth and its broader society. More interesting than the mere presentation of these figures is the way that the youth think about the relationship between the national economy, and perceived rising crime problems in the nation. First, they believed that the crimes of all forms, especially violent and predatory crimes have been on a rapid increase in Dominica over the last 3-5 years.
Table One: Felt Problems Identified by Dominica High School Youth
During 2002 National Focus Group Survey
Second, they believe that national economy has been on a rapid and constant decline over the last 3-5 years. Third, the perceived increases in crime are directly related to national economic trends. Their belief is that crimes are on the rapid increase because the failing economy is reflected in rising unemployment, which in turn cultivates motivated offenders. Those perceptions expressed by Dominica high school students are constantly echoed by Dominican adults (at home and in the Diaspora) who have been participating in several local newspaper articles, internet commentaries, and on local radio talk shows. Furthermore, empirical research by scholars such as William Julius Wilson and others have revealed strong relationships among trends in economic productivity, unemployment, and crime. However, these trends have never been empirically examined in the Dominica milieu. This is the topic of one of my works in progress which will soon be released.
Strategic Action Plan:
Eighteen students from various high schools around the country participated in the symposium on October 31st 2002. The major youth-related action plan derived from symposium discussions was a request from students to formulate a “Dominica Federation of Students” for the following purposes:
1) To address practical and tangible issues relevant to higher education;
2) To address other social issues and concerns among Dominica students;
3) To specifically develop a mentoring program aimed at the realization of 1) and 2).
In this regard, Alick Lawrence volunteered to assume a leading role in formulating the “Dominica Federation of Students.” Pledges were made by Mr. Denis Hermonstyne, chairman of Convergent Technology Group Inc., and Dr. Clayton Shillingford, president of the Dominica Academy of Arts and Sciences (DAAS), in the sums of EC $1000.00, and $300.00 respectively.
Dr. Peter K. B. St. Jean has volunteered to contact Mr. Lawrence about moving forward with his offer, obtaining a clear idea of the intended organizational structure of the Dominica Federation of Students. Copies of this report will be distributed to the Hon. Prime Minister Pierre Charles, the Dominica Ministry of Education, and all Dominica high school principals. Dr. St. Jean will update the general RDF/DAAS membership accordingly, by January 25th 2003.th 2003.