Roseau Boys’ School
The Roseau Boys’ School stands as one of the most historic Dominican educational institutions, long recognized for its contribution to primary education and the shaping of many national leaders. Located in Roseau, the school provided generations of young boys with the academic and moral foundation to pursue excellence in public service, law, culture, and business. Though no longer operating as a primary school, its legacy continues to influence Dominica’s social and educational development.
Historical Background and Early Locations
The Roseau Boys’ School, founded in the early 1900s during the colonial era, was first located near the Cathedral of Our Lady of Fair Haven. As enrollment grew, it relocated to Bath Road, becoming synonymous with that site and providing easier access to students from Pottersville, Newtown, and Goodwill. Operated by the Ministry of Education, and aligned with Roseau Girls’ School, it formed a cornerstone of primary education in the capital.
Historical accounts suggest the school once occupied other civic locations, including the building now known as the Newtown Community Centre (built in 1784), and possibly the current sites of the old Roseau Health Centre where All Saints University is located. A major fire in 1971 destroyed the Bath Road wooden structure, which was rebuilt in concrete and later housed the Dominica Infirmary after Hurricane David. Though no longer functioning as a school, the building remains a preserved cultural landmark in Roseau.
Academic Culture and School Life
The academic environment at Roseau Boys’ School was rooted in structure and discipline. Pupils were instructed in reading, writing, arithmetic, social studies, and scripture, with a strong focus on civic values. Morning assemblies often included hymns and national pledges, reinforcing principles of respect, obedience, and responsibility.
Uniforms were mandatory, typically consisting of blue or khaki shirts and brown or navy trousers. The school day included physical education, storytelling, and arts, with older students often taking entrance exams to secure placement in top secondary schools like Dominica Grammar School and St. Mary’s Academy.
Prominent Alumni and National Contributors
Over the decades, Roseau Boys’ School educated a wide range of Dominicans who would later make remarkable contributions to the island’s development. Among them were Roosevelt Skerrit, who would become Prime Minister of Dominica, and Dr. Donald Peters, who serves as the President of Dominica State College.
In the field of law and governance, alumni include Justice Davidson Baptiste, a former appellate judge in the Eastern Caribbean Supreme Court, and Sir Brian Alleyne, who held the post of Acting Chief Justice. Leaders in the civil service, like Alex Bruno, and senior police officials such as Cyril Carrette, also spent their formative years within the school’s classrooms.
Writers and artists also emerged from its student body, including Dr. Alwin Bully, playwright and cultural advocate, and Pierre Charles, who later served as Prime Minister in the early 2000s. These names represent just a fraction of the influential Dominicans who began their journey at this institution.
Leadership and Administration
The school was guided by a succession of principled headteachers whose dedication left a lasting impact on both students and community. Notable principals included Mr. Eugene Bellot, revered for his commitment to academic excellence, Mr. Trotman, known for instilling discipline and order, and Mr. Leroy “Cuttie” Nicholas, who brought a balance of firmness and mentorship during his tenure.
These educators served as more than administrators, they were mentors, role models, and stewards of Dominican youth development.
Architectural Significance and Preservation Efforts
The iconic wooden building along Bath Road is considered part of Dominica’s architectural and cultural heritage. Though the school has ceased to operate formally, the building has since been used by community organizations, most notably the Harlem Sports and Community Club.
In 2020, following widespread speculation about the site’s future, Chekira Lockhart Hypolite, the Parliamentary Representative for Roseau South Constituency, confirmed that the building would not be demolished. Instead, plans were announced for its preservation and adaptive reuse, acknowledging its symbolic and historical value and its connection to UNESCO-associated heritage efforts.
Enduring Legacy
Even in its current form, the Roseau Boys’ School remains a monument to the transformative power of education. Its alumni have gone on to shape Dominica’s post-independence narrative, and its physical structure continues to remind the public of the country’s long-standing emphasis on discipline, scholarship, and community values. As efforts to preserve the building progress, its history lives on through the achievements of its former students and the memory of generations who passed through its halls.