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St. Maarten Nectar Launches Campaign In Schools Against Zika.

Simpson Bay :---- St. Maarten Nectar, local producer of natural cosmetics and Bug O% repellents launched its fight against the Zika virus - and specifically its mosquito bite prevention campaign. This is an island-wide program which encourages children to develop healthy bite prevention habits.
The campaign was launched with the placement of over 100 posters in public areas around the community like supermarkets and drugstores on the island. The company stressed its “Protect-Repel-Eliminate” message at various schools and playschools and donated diffusers as part of its social corporate responsibility program.
The management of St Read more

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PHILIPSBURG:--- The IB Diploma Class of 2016's CAS Presentation and Pinning Ceremony marked the end of their two-year journey to discover the answer to the question: "What can I be?” On Friday, April 15, the Minister of Education Silveria Jacobs, The Catholic School Board, The Department of Inspection, School Manager Ms. Gianne Wilson-DeWeever, representatives of several NGO's, community stakeholders, parents, and teachers were part of this celebratory event.

The program opened with the students highlighting the skills and experiences they cultivated by engaging in the Creativity, Action and Service component of their academically rigorous IB Diploma Programme Read more

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Minister Jacobs Launches Education On The Move

Minister Jacobs (center) with the team involved in Education on the Move. Photo Today / Andrew Bishop

St. Maarten News – Education Minister Silveria Jacobs launched her Education on the Move initiative on Friday. The program aims to stimulate participation of all stakeholders in education. “There are comments about what is happening in education, but some fail to realize that education is everyone’s business,” the minister said.

The ministry wants to use the campaign to make the necessary changes Read more

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Up Criticizes Jacobs’ Education Campaign, But Minister Says Record ‘Speaks For Itself’

PHILIPSBURG--United People’s (UP) Party on Monday, levelled criticism against Government for its recently launched “Education on the Move (EOM)” campaign, an initiative focussed on literacy and geared towards raising awareness about education and its importance.
UP said t Read more

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The Minister Of Education Is Always An Educator At Heart 

PHILIPSBURG – The Minister of Education is, and always has been an educator at heart, and is solely motivated by this fact to work together with others to bring improvements to education in order to meet the needs of our population.

It is rather disappointing that an initiative such as Education on the Move (EOM), aimed at bringing much needed awareness about education and collaboration within the community, is being touted by the opposition as a political move, especially seeing their recent, obvious interference in ongoing discussions in education, as well as the school bussing issue.

The Minister’s record speaks for itself Read more

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Minister Jacobs Raises Awareness On World Heritage Day

PHILIPSBURG – World Heritage Day also commonly known as International Day for Monuments and Sites is focused on celebrating the world’s built cultural heritage every year on April 18.

UNESCO established April 18 as the International Day for Monuments and Sites in 1983. It aims to raise public awareness about the diversity and vulnerability of the world’s built monuments and heritage sites and the efforts required to protect and conserve them. Each year has a different theme and this year’s theme is “The Heritage of Sport.”

Sport is part of every man and woman’s heritage and its absence can never be compensated for– Pierre de Coubertin

The Olympic Games will take place in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, in August Read more

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Happy St. Maarten Carnival To All

St. Maarten News – The Minister of Culture Silveria Jacobs extends to the entire community of St. Maarten as well as to our visitors a happy and safe Carnival in a brief press statement.

“48 Years of evolving Carnival celebrations have kept segments of our culture alive and it is the hope of the Minister that even more core cultural aspects receive the recognition they deserve during this our largest cultural celebration of the year and years to come.

All stakeholders in Carnival, from the SCDF, the promoters and sponsors, booth-holders, the participants, the spectators and law enforcement are key to the success of this three week event Read more

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Early Childhood Development Conference Works On Policy

Minister Jacobs (left) listens attentively during the conference. Photo contributed

St. Maarten News  – The launch of the early childhood development participatory policy planning conference took place at the Nipa last Wednesday. The two day conference discussed the topics needed to form this policy for St. Maarten and the benefits of expanding investments in it. Education Minister Silveria Jacobs made welcome statements and introductions.

The Department of Youth Affairs is responsible for monitoring the Rights of the Child and therefore assumed the responsibility for the role of ensuring that laws and policies for early childhood development are established Read more

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PHILIPSBURG:--- On Wednesday, April 13, the launch of the Early Childhood Development (ECD) Participatory Policy Planning Conference at the NIPA. This two day conference is intended to discuss the topics needed to form St. Maarten ECD Policy and the benefits of expanding investments of ECD on St. Maarten. Welcome statements and introductions were given by Honorable Minister of Education, Culture Youth and Sport Silveria Jacobs.
The Department of Youth Affairs within the Ministry of Education, Culture, Youth & Sport is the entity responsible for monitoring the Rights of the Child and had therefore assumed the responsibility for the role of ensuring that laws and policies for early childhood development are established.
In order to draft the preliminary Vision and Mission Statements of the ECD Policy, identifying the important activities and services to be developed under each Strategic Priority and considering the responsible entities and budgets for each type of activity or service must be established.
The effects of early intervention for especially disadvantaged children lead to improvements in children’s survival, health, growth, and cognitive and social development Read more

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School Bussing Service Update.

PHILIPSBURG:--- On April 7th 2016, a joint meeting was held between the Ministry of Education, Culture, Youth and Sports, headed by the Hon. Minister Silveria Jacobs and the Ministry of TEATT headed by the Hon. Minister Ingrid Arrindell, with the intention to work collaboratively to come up with a short term and long term solution concerning the School Bussing Transportation Service.
Both Ministers give the green light for a joint School Bus Committee which includes prominent members of both Ministries, since both Ministries are working on a solution to come to a more efficient, safer and cost effective School Bussing Transportation Service for a number of years.
The joint Committee had its first meeting on April 12th , 2016 Read more

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Remembering What We Share In Common: A Past In The Making.

PHILIPSBURG:--- What past do St. Martiners (Sint Maarteners & Saint Martinoise) long for, when they talk about the good old days? St. Martiners have been described as those Born Here and those Born to be Here. This non- ethnic and non-racial definition, brilliantly introduced by the honourable governor of the island, Drs. Eugene Holiday, is meant to be both accommodating and normative. St Martiners are those who put the island first. They are patriots, persons who love the island. Dr. Louis Jeffry who can trace back his ancestry to the time of slavery, and Father Charles, the island’s revered Catholic priest, who was born on Saint Lucia, equally qualify.

I found this definition rather inclusive until I spoke to my long-time friend, Ruford Serrant, who I dare say was one of the first St Read more

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Education Ministry Updates On School Bussing Service

PHILIPSBURG – On April 7, a joint meeting was held between the Ministry of  Education, Culture, Youth and Sports, headed by Minister Silveria Jacobs and the Ministry of Tourism, Economic Affairs, Traffic and Telecommunications (TEATT) headed by Minister Ingrid Arrindell, with the intention to work collaboratively to come up with a short and long-term solution concerning the School Bussing Transportation Service.

Both Ministers gave the green light for a joint School Bus Committee, which includes prominent members of both Ministries, since both Ministries are working on a solution to come to a more efficient, safer and cost-effective School Bussing Transportation Service for a number of years.

The Joint Committee had its first meeting on April 12 Read more

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Committee Established For School Bus Solution 

PHILIPSBURG – A committee has been established with officials from the Ministry of Education, Sports, Youth and Culture and the Ministry of Tourism, Economic Affairs, Traffic and Telecommunications (TEATT), including the respective ministers, to come up with solutions to deal with the school bus issue.

“We have come together with the intention once again to work collaboratively to come up with a short-term and long-term solution concerning the school bussing transportation service,” said Minister of Education Silveria Jacobs Read more

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St. Maarten Students Mark Border Partition With Friendly Island Race

Celebration at the end of the friendly race. Photo contributed

St. Maarten News – To observe the anniversary of the partition of the island of St. Maarten / St. Martin, the students of the M.A.C. Browlia Maillard Campus, and the Aline Hanson School in Sandy Ground participated in a friendly running race to reenact aspects of the legend or myth of how the island was divided.

The activity, which was held last Wednesday from 8.30 to 10.30 a.m., saw the participation of more than 160 students from both the northern and southern side of the island Read more

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PHILIPSBURG:---  Minister of Education, Culture, Youth and Sports Silveria Jacobs would like to extend words of encouragement, perseverance and strength to the students of the group 8/grade 6 classes around the island as they sit their exit examinations this week, as well as their parents, teachers and other support. You have prepared for years for this week, and it is my wish that you will do your very best to show what you have learned throughout elementary school.
All students are encouraged to stay focused on learning as education is the most powerful tool with which we can change the world Read more

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PHILIPSBURG:--- To observe the anniversary of the partition of the island of St. Maarten / St. Martin, the students of the M.A.C. Browlia Maillard Campus, and the Aline Hanson School in Sandy Ground participated in a friendly running race to reenact aspects of the legend or myth of how the island was divided.

The activity, which was held on Wednesday, April 6, 2016, from 8:30 am – 10:30am, saw the participation of more than 160 students from both the northern and southern side of the island.

The primary goals of the race were to promote cooperation between education institutions on both sides of the island; to develop cooperation based on our common history, to create student ambassadors of peace and friendship to promote UNESCO’s international values; to strengthen students’ sense of belonging to a “Friendly Island”; to inspire social cohesion by uniting citizens from various backgrounds; and to promote a healthy living style through engaging in sport activities.

The idea of the friendly race originated with Ms Read more

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Minister Jacobs Explains Why School Bus Tender Was Suspended

PHILIPSBURG – Minister of Education Silveria Jacobs explained the rationale for the Ministry suspending the tender with school busses on St. Maarten.

The Ministry and School Bus Owners Association (SBOA) have been in discussion about a change in government policy governing the functions of school busses. Initially, the SBOA was against the proposed changes in regulations, arguing this would affect the livelihood of the bus drivers.

However, the Minister argued that the changes were necessary to create a more efficient and cost effective system and proper accounting of public funds.

Minister Jacobs explained that in the past the Ministry of Tourism, Economic Affairs, Traffic and Telecommunication (TEATT) would have negotiated with the bus drivers, however, it was always the Ministry of Education that had to pay the bill Read more

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Govt. Heading Back To Drawing Board On School Bus Regulation

PHILIPSBURG--Minister of Education, Culture, Youth and Sports (ECYS) Silveria Jacobs announced the sudden suspension of the public tender “School Bus Transportation Service St. Maarten” until further notice.

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Let Common Sense Prevail!

The buzz words in the streets today is that the NA-led government is following in the same footsteps of the previous UPP-led government. This time around they are doing everything within their power to destroy one of the last business fabrics that is owned 100% by locals, the operators of school busses.

This NA government is fully aware that by putting the transportation of school children out on bid that many of the bus owners would not be able to participate in the bid Read more

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St. Peters:---  The buzz words in the streets today is that the NA lead government is following in the same footsteps of the previous UP lead government. This time around they are doing everything within their power to destroy one of the last business fabrics that is owned 100% by locals, the operators of school busses Read more

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Minister Jacobs Congratulates Windies Champs 2016

PHILIPSURG – Minister of Education, Culture, Youth and Sports Silveria Jacobs, on behalf of the Government and people of St. Maarten, congratulated the West Indies female and male cricket teams, who both emerged victorious in their respective final matches held in the 2016 ICC World Twenty20 finals held in India.

“Congratulations also goes out to the St Read more

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Lions Club Hosts Student Excellence Awards 2016

SUCKER GARDEN – For the eighth consecutive year, the St. Maarten Lions Club honored young students of cycle 2 group 4 at the club’s annual Student Excellence Awards ceremony.

This year the title sponsor was N.V. GEBE as they have been the sponsor for the past three years. The St. Maarten Lions Club thanked the utility company for their valuable contributions.

The St. Maarten Lions Club the club recently invited 17 youngsters to the Lion’s Den on Sucker Garden Road, and acknowledged their performance in the presence of their families, teachers and peers Read more

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Minister Jacobs Attends Carnival Cultural Programs

PHILIPSBURG – The Minister of Education, Culture, Youth and Sports Silveria Jacobs attended both cultural Carnival programs, which took place over the weekend.

The Calypso elimination, which showcased the least number of participants in years, brought out the usual crowd of supporters, proving that the general public continues to support Calypso as a mainstay of the cultural heritage in the celebration of Carnival.

The Minister enjoyed the social commentary, musical and lyrical creativity of the calypsonians, which form part and parcel of Calypso, and were a major part of the entertainment for the appreciative crowd.

The Minister was inspired by the youth and female participants, as several young up and coming calypsonians came out in full force Read more

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PHILIPSBURG:--- The Minister ECYS Silveria Jacobs attended both cultural Carnival programs which took place over the weekend. The Calypso Elimination, which showcased the least amount of participants we’ve seen in years, brought out the usual crowd of supporters, proving that the general public continues to support Calypso as a mainstay of our cultural heritage in the celebration of Carnival Read more

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