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Carnival 55 Officially Opens With High-Energy Jump-Up

Minister Grisha Heyliger-Marten,TEATT, and Minister Melissa Gumbs, ECYS, together with the SCDF President Edwardo Radjouki holding the key that opened the gates to the Festival Read more

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Xoey Fitzpatrick Aventurin Captivates Audience With Talent, Culture, Wins Junior Carnival Crown

2026 Junior Carnival Queen Xanisha Xoey Fitzpatrick Aventurin (second left) flanked by second runner up YSheyda Madramootoo (left), MP Sjamira Roseburg (third left), first runner-up Kayla Fontenelle (fourth left) and Kyrie Fleming, who placed third (right).

MADAME ESTATE--The St. Maarten Junior Carnival Pageant 2026 reached a thrilling climax on Saturday, March 28, asXanisha Xoey Fitzpatrick Aventurin was crowned Junior Carnival Queen, earning 845 points and standing out in a field of talented young contestants at the Aleeze Convention Center.

The packed audience witnessed a showcase of creativity, culture, and youthful excellence, as Xoeys performances left a lasting impression on judges and spectators alike.

The competition concluded with Xoey winning the crown as well as Miss Amity, Miss Popularity, Best Speech, Best Talent and Best Carnival Costume Read more

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Visita Oficial Al Mecys De La Delegacin De Tres Islas Para La Seguridad Escolar

PHILIPSBURG, St. Maarten La Divisin de Servicios de Apoyo Estudiantil (SSSD) recibi recientemente a una delegacin de diez profesionales de la seguridad escolar de Antigua y Barbuda, Anguila y St. Lucia.

Durante su visita de una semana, la delegacin realiz una visita de cortesa a la Honorable Ministra de Educacin, Cultura, Juventud y Deportes, la Sra. Melissa Gumbs, as como a la Secretaria General Interina, la Sra Read more

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Gumbs Will Not Scrap Fbe Exam, Calls For Collective Action To Improve Education

PHILIPSBURG--Minister of Education, Culture, Youth and Sport (ECYS) Melissa Gumbs says the Foundation Based Education (FBE) Exit Exam will not be scrapped as removing the test would not fix deeper challenges within the education system.

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Innovacin En Accin: La Juventud De St. Maarten Brilla Durante La Semana De La Ciencia 2026

Philipsburg, St. Maarten La Semana de la Ciencia 2026, celebrada del 9 al 21 de marzo de 2026, reuni a estudiantes, educadores, profesionales y miembros de la comunidad en una dinmica celebracin de la curiosidad, la innovacin y el descubrimiento bajo el lema Innovar para el bienestar.

La semana de actividades puso de relieve el creciente inters por la ciencia, la tecnologa, la ingeniera, las artes y las matemticas (STEAM) en toda la isla, al tiempo que reforz la importancia de la innovacin para abordar los desafos del mundo real y mejorar el bienestar de la comunidad.

La Semana de la Ciencia se inaugur oficialmente con una inspiradora ceremonia de apertura que incluy discursos de la Dra Read more

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El Primer Equipo De Robtica De St. Maarten Obtiene El Segundo Lugar En El Desafo Superregional De Robtica De La Oecsra

Philipsburg, St. Maarten La Fundacin de la Feria de Ciencias de St. Maarten se enorgullece en anunciar que SXM Tech Tides, el primer equipo de robtica de la isla en competir a nivel regional, ha logrado un impresionante segundo lugar entre equipos de ocho pases en el Desafo Superregional de Robtica de la OECSRA (ahora ECRIA), celebrado en St. Kitts & Nevis, obteniendo tanto el Premio a la Maestra en Programacin como el Premio a la Participacin Digital.

Los estudiantes Jacob Boxshall, de la Escuela Preparatoria Learning Unlimited, y Akash Pillai, de St Read more

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Minister Says Budget Limits Full Funding For Carifta Team, Urges Private Sector Support

Melissa Gumbs

~Planning new sports funding approach~

PHILIPSBURG--Education, Culture, Youth and Sport (ECYS) Minister Melissa Gumbs says government will not be able to provi Read more

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Sr. Marie Laurence Reconstruction To Begin This Month, Complete In 2027

Artist impression of the new Sr. Marie Laurence School (Photo courtesy www.lyongo.com).

~Trini contractor only bid submitted~

MIDDLE REGION--The reconstruction of the Sr. Marie Laurence School in Middle Region is set to begin in the first week of March 2026, Minister of Education, Culture, Youth and Sport (ECYS) Melissa Gumbs s Read more

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Only 11% In Group 5 Master Problem-Solving And 2% At Public Schools, Assessment Shows

Minister of Education, Culture, Youth and Sports (ECYS) Melissa Gumbs.

~0% mastery at 4 schools~

PHILIPSBURG--Findings from the National Assessment Report: Early Literacy and Numeracy for the Group 5 cohort 2024/2025 revealed that a majority of pupils are struggling to achieve proficiency in mathematics problem-solving.

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Minister Presents Medical Education Accreditation Framework To Parliament

American University of Caribbean (AUC) School of Medicine Facilities.

PHILIPSBURG--Minister of Education, Culture, Youth and Sport (ECYS) Melissa Gumbs on Thursday presented the framework for regulating medical education on St Maarten to Parliaments ECYS Committee.

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Ecys Minister Calls For Cultural Shift To Break Silos In Governmen

ECYS Minister Melissa Gumbs

PHILIPSBURG--Education, Culture, Youth and Sport (ECYS) Minister Melissa Gumbs would like to see a cultural shift within government to break down siloe Read more

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Oranje School Celebrates 175 Years With Bell Ringing Ceremony

Education Minister Melissa Gumbs rings the bel

PHILIPSBURG--Oranje School marked its 175th Anniversary on January 21, 2026, with a historic celebration that included a commemorative bell ringing ceremony symbolizing each year of the schools service and educational excellence.

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Clara Reyes Retirement

Philipsburg, Sint Maarten The Ministry of Education, Culture, Youth and Sport extends its heartfelt congratulations to Ms. Clara Reyes on her retirement as Head of the Department of Culture. She became the Head of the Department in 2018 and concluded her day-to-day duties in December 2025, having utilized accrued vacation leave. Her official retirement takes effect in April 2026. She leaves behind an extraordinary legacy, having made an indelible impact not only within the Ministry but on the cultural landscape of the island of Sint Maarten as a whole.

Throughout her many years of dedicated service, Ms Read more

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Annual National Day Of Prayer January 11 At Govt Building

From left: National Day of Prayer 2025, cross section of clergy members with President of Parliament Sarah Wescot-Williams, Governor Ajamu Baly, Prime Minister Dr. Luc Mercelina and ECYS Minister Melissa Gumbs Read more

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Constitution Day On October 13 Marks 15 Years Of Country Status

Government Administration Building adorned in red, white and blue dcor for Constitution Day 2025.

PHILIPSBURG--The Government of St. Maarten will celebrate the 15th anniversary of the countrys constitutional status in the Kingdom of the Netherlands on Monday, October 13, with official Constitution Day activities at Jocelyn Arndell Festival Village starting at 11:30am.

This years theme Fifteen Years of Country Status Honoring Our Past, Shaping Our Future highlights the nations progress since attaining country status on October 10, 2010 Read more

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Demolition Of Old Library Building Clears Way For Bold, New Beginning

Former Library Director Blanca Hodge (right) cuts into a cake in honour of the new library, cheered on by (from left) fellow former Director Glenderlin Davis, Education Minister Melissa Gumbs, NRPB Director Claret Connor and the librarys President of the board Joseanne Peterson.

PHILIPSBURG--The St Read more

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Organised Chaos, Is Minister Gumbs First Impression Of Carifesta Xv

ECYS Minister Melissa Gumbs with Barbados Prime Minister Mia Mottley.

~ Opportunity for artists to grow, evolve ~

BARBADOS--Minister of Education, Culture, Youth and Sport (ECYS) Melissa Gumb Read more

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Gumbs Sends Letter To All School Boards On Hair Discrimination, Says Prepare For Law

ECYS Minister Melissa Gumbs.

PHILIPSBURG--Minister of Education, Culture, Youth and Sport (ECYS) Melissa Gumbs is calling on schools to begin preparing their institution for the Read more

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Minister Gumbs: Students Register Too Late For Housing, Urged To Sign Up Early

PHILIPSBURG--Minister of Education, Culture, Youth and Sport (ECYS) Melissa Gumbs said on Tuesday that she had been informed that many St. Maarten students wait too long to register on housing websites, often only a month or two before leaving for the Netherlands. She urged students to register as early as age 16 to increase their chances Read more

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Diaspora Database Launched, Gumbs Seeks Housing Solutions For Students

Meet & Greet group photo.

THE HAGUE--While acknowledging the ongoing housing crisis in the Netherlands, Minister of Education, Culture, Youth and Sport (ECYS) Melissa Gumbs says her ministry is actively working on solutions for St. Maarten students studying abroad.

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Commemoration Of Sint MaartenS Flag Day

PHILIPSBURG On Friday, June 13th, 2025, the people, and Government of Sint Maarten will commemorate the 40th Anniversary of Flag Day at the grounds of the Leonald Conner School in Cay Bay. The annual commemoration will begin at 8:30 a.m. with the Patriotic School Parade that starts in front of the Market Garden Supermarket at the entrance of the Billy Folly Road. The parade then proceeds on to the Welfare Road in the direction towards Caribbean Cinemas, it continues to the entrance at Cay Bay Road, and ends at the grounds of the Leonald Conner School parking lot.

Considering that Flag Day is not a public holiday, the annual celebration is geared towards the primary schools on the island Read more

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Minister Shares Key Findings From Pwas Investigation Report

~ Commits to action ~

PHILIPSBURG--Minister of Education, Culture, Youth and Sport Melissa Gumbs shared the outcomes of an independent investigation into operational and incident matters at Prins Willem Alexander School (PWAS) with the staff of the school on Wednesday.

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Minister Gumbs: Focus Is On Results, Not Where Companies Come From

~ Former minister neglected projects ~

PHILIPSBURG--Minister of Education, Culture, Youth and Sport (ECYS) Melissa Gumbs has blamed former ministerial neglect for the delays in the rebuilding of schools and the library. She said her main concern is not where companies come from, but that the work is done well and on time.

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Inaugural Dame Ruby Bute Short Story Contest To Be Held

ECYS Minister Melissa Gumbs (left) with Rohith Mahtani of Klass Electronics.

PHILIPSBURG--Minister of Education, Culture, Youth and Sport (ECYS) Melissa Gumbs has announced the pr Read more

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