Dominica: All you need know about education, medicine and life on the island
Dominica’s economic citizenship program was launched in 1993, however, it gained its popularity only in 2015 after the EU countries signed an agreement on visa-free travel with Dominica. More than 12,000 passports have already been issued since the launch of the program.
What do you know about this country apart from the fact that it offers second citizenship by investment? It is a cradle of ecotourism. To extend your knowledge about the country, we have gathered important facts about Dominica’s education, medicine, transportation system and economy in one article.
Education
There are two education segments on the island: public (free education) and private (commercial institutions, private schools). The system of education is traditionally divided into 4 levels: preschool education, primary education, secondary education and higher education.
There are over 80 preschool educational establishments in Dominica. Parents have to pay for education, since all these facilities are private. The majority of students are the children of parents with above-average income.
School education is free and compulsory for children aged from 5 to 16. The education is paid for by the government and local religious communities. Kids usually finish primary school aged from 12 (normal) to 15 (if they started education not at the age of 5). Upon the course completion, all the graduates pass comprehensive exams.
The total number of schools operating in the territory of the island is 63, and 5 of them are private. Students of private schools receive not only quality education but also good upbringing. Dominica’s most advanced private schools are Convent Preparatory School and Pioneer Prep School Dominica.
After finishing primary school by passing exams, students attend a secondary school for 5 years. The island also has educational institutions for children with special needs.
High-level secondary education is provided in private school Orion Academy. Here the focus is made on the innovations and leadership training. Moreover, children study music, art and foreign languages.
Dominica Grammar School (public school) also deserves special attention. It is the oldest educational facility of the island. There are several colleges and special schools in the country — Dominica State College, Dominica Teachers Training College and Business Training Centre.
Young people often go abroad to study further as Dominica has only 3 higher education establishments: All Saints University School of Medicine, The Marine Biology School and The Institute for Tropical Marine Ecology. The United Kingdom, the USA, France and other countries of the Caribbean region eagerly host applicants from Dominica.
All Saints University School of Medicine
Medicine
The level of health services is quite high in Dominica. However, for advanced treatment and in case of emergency the patient is transferred to Martinique or Barbados. One has to pay for medical services in the country. The citizens must have individual medical insurance.
Living conditions in Dominica: transportation, cuisine, entertainment
Dominica has a developed transportation system. Some roads have a good asphalt pavement, but provincial roads are mostly in a very bad state. Driving is left-hand here.
Taxi is the most popular and affordable transport in Dominica. The most comfortable way of reaching another city is by bus. To rent a car on the island, one needs to have a local temporary driver’s license.
There are two airports in Dominica, Melville Hall and Canefield, that welcome flights of domestic airlines.
Melville Hall Airport
Every year Dominica hosts World Creole Music Festival. Fishing professionals come to the country on a regular basis to participate in a local championship. The most popular activities are diving, hiking and biking.
Diving is one of the major entertainments in Dominica
Dominica’s cuisine is a combination of Native American, Spanish, French and English traditions, flavored with local peculiarities. Here they often use meat and seafood for cooking. Local delicacies are prepared with the meat of iguanas, possums, agoutis and small fish titiri.
Island’s fertile soil produces a rich harvest of fruits and vegetables. Among the wide range of alcoholic beverages, local rum is considered the most popular drink.
Dominica’s citizenship by investment: When if not now?
The passport of Dominica opens the borders of 119+ countries of the world. Second citizenship gives opportunity to reduce tax burden, protect assets (Caribbean passport holders have a right to open accounts in reliable European banks), have a Plan B in case of emergency at the home country and apply for a long-term visa in the USA and Canada. The cost of Dominica’s passport is the most attractive among all the Caribbean countries, if we are talking about individual applicants. Considering additional charges, the country citizenship received by a non-repayable donation into the government fund, will cost $110,000.
