PHILIPSBURG (DCOMM):---  National Disaster Coordinator and Fire Chief Clive Richardson is calling on the country's business community, particularly those operating within the tourism and hospitality sector, to review and strengthen their hurricane contingency and business continuity plans as the 2026 Atlantic Hurricane Season progresses.

The Office of Disaster Management (ODM) is once again appealing to residents and businesses not to become complacent simply because the season has had a relatively quiet start. Hurricane season extends through November 30, with the historical peak of activity occurring between mid-August and October.

"Preparedness cannot begin when a storm is already approaching the island," Richardson said. "The time to prepare is now. Every business should already know what actions need to be taken to protect employees, customers, assets, and operations before a hurricane threatens Sint Maarten."

ODM is encouraging all sectors of the economy—including hotels, resorts, restaurants, marinas, tour operators, retail businesses, transportation providers, and vacation rental management companies—to ensure their hurricane preparedness plans are up to date, practical, and understood by all staff members.

Businesses should review evacuation and shelter procedures, secure important records and digital data, verify emergency communication systems, inspect buildings for vulnerabilities, confirm insurance coverage, protect critical equipment, and identify suppliers and contractors who can assist with post-storm recovery. Regular staff training and emergency drills can also help ensure employees understand their roles before, during, and after a hurricane.

Vacation rental management companies are also encouraged to establish clear communication protocols with property owners and guests, including procedures for visitor notifications, evacuations, cancellations, emergency accommodations, and post-storm property inspections.

Richardson emphasized that a well-developed hurricane preparedness plan not only helps protect lives and property but also enables businesses to resume operations more quickly after a storm has passed.

"The safety of employees, visitors, and customers must always be the highest priority," Richardson stated. "Every business owner has a responsibility to take reasonable measures to reduce risks and protect their operations. A business that is prepared today is far more resilient tomorrow."

ODM noted that the country's economy depends heavily on a vibrant tourism and service sector. Every business, regardless of its size, contributes to Sint Maarten's economic recovery following a disaster. Businesses that are able to reopen quickly after an all-clear is issued help restore essential services, support employment, reassure visitors, and contribute to the island's overall resilience.

The Office of Disaster Management also encourages businesses to coordinate their preparedness efforts with neighbouring businesses, industry associations, and emergency services where appropriate. Sharing information and maintaining communication before and after a storm can strengthen community resilience and speed up recovery efforts.

ODM reminds business owners and residents alike that hurricane preparedness is an ongoing process throughout the season. Plans should be reviewed regularly and updated as circumstances change to ensure they remain effective.

The Office of Disaster Management will continue to provide preparedness guidance throughout the hurricane season and urges everyone to remain informed by following official weather forecasts, government advisories, and emergency announcements.

The community is urged to learn more about hurricane hazards and resources you need on how to prepare your family, home, or business for a storm/hurricane strike by visiting the Government website: www.sintmaartengov.org/hurricane where you will be able to download your “Hurricane Season Readiness Guide’ and “Hurricane Tracking Chart.” The information here is also valuable for new residents.

Listen to the Government Radio station SXMGOV – 107.9FM - for official information and news before, during and after a hurricane. You can also follow weather related news and information as well as national addresses by the Prime Minister, chairperson of the Emergency Operations Center (EOC) by going to @SXMGOV Facebook Page.

For official weather-related information, check out the website of the Meteorological Department of St. Maarten (MDS): www.meteosxm.com or visit their social media page Facebook.com/sxmweather/

Prepared Today. Resilient Tomorrow.

BONAIRE:  1 July 2026, James Finies announces to the people of Bonaire that, in recognition of the abolition of slavery in 1863 in the colonized Antillean islands of the Caribbean, the Bonaire Draft Resolution, sponsored by two Caribbean CARICOM countries, was formally submitted and registered into the administrative process of the 80th United Nations General Assembly on 10th June 2026.

Since 1955, when Bonaire and the former Netherlands Antilles islands were removed by the Netherlands from the United Nations List of Non-Self-Governing Territories (NSGT), this is the most significant step taken toward a major constitutional action concerning the colonized Dutch Caribbean islands.

This Bonaire Draft Resolution urges recognition that Bonaire remains a Non-Self-Governing Territory within the meaning of the Charter of the United Nations and declares that an obligation exists under Article 73 of the Charter on the part of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, as the administering Power of the Territory of Bonaire, to transmit information on Bonaire. It further requests the Special Committee on Decolonization to consider the question of Bonaire at its next session and to report thereon to the General Assembly at its eighty-first session. The draft proposal was uploaded by the United Nations General Assembly Secretariat for worldwide access, including the 193 Member States of the United Nations, through the e-Delegate system.

What does this mean for Bonaire? It means that the Netherlands will be obligated to be accountable and report to the United Nations General Assembly on the social, economic, cultural, political, and educational development of the native Bonerian people, in accordance with the Charter of the United Nations and the treaties that the Netherlands agreed to and signed in 1945. This has happened only three times in world history: in New Caledonia in 1986, French Polynesia in 2013, and now, for the first time in this part of the world, with Bonaire in June 2026.

How did this happen? From 2003 to 2010, James Finies stood up, publicly objected, and voiced his opposition to the divisive and polarizing direction in which Bonairean and Antillean politicians were heading. From 2010 to 2016, James Finies abandoned his lifelong career as a commercial banker and became a full-time volunteer human rights defender on Bonaire and throughout the Antilles, advocating for a referendum and the right to self-determination. Following the failure to respect Bonaire's 2015 referendum, James Finies, from 2016 to 2026, embarked on an international trajectory of continuous awareness-raising and lobbying missions throughout the Caribbean, Central and Latin America, Europe, and the United Nations in Geneva and New York, advocating for the re-listing of Bonaire under the protection of the United Nations.

The advocacy group led by Mr. Finies is the only organization that has consistently worked, from 2003 to the present day in 2026, to highlight and justify the need for the international community to intervene in Bonaire and the wider Dutch Caribbean islands as part of a civil society effort.

Why Bonaire? - The people of Bonaire were left unprotected and abandoned by the CAS islands when Curaçao, Aruba, and St. Maarten, together with the Netherlands, following the dissolution of the Netherlands Antilles in 2010, unilaterally removed Bonaire from the protection of the Kingdom Charter. The people of Bonaire were incorporated, against their wishes and without their consent, into the Constitution of the Netherlands, subordinated and placed at the mercy of external rule from The Hague.

Unlike Curaçao, Aruba, St. Maarten, Saba, and St. Eustatius, Bonaire has since developed into a silent but major humanitarian crisis. Bonaire is in a dire situation, facing immediate demographic and cultural erasure. Native Bonerians, who comprised more than 70% of the population before 2010, according to CBS statistics, have been systematically reduced through institutionalized laws and policies to under 30% today, with predictions that within ten years, by 2035, they will account for less than 15% of the population but fortunately Bonaire possess large diaspora in the Dutch Kingdom. This places the Bonerians at risk of imminent eradication over the next decades if the world and the international community do not intervene to protect the Bonerian people. 

James Finies - Bonaire

PHILIPSBURG:--- In commemoration of Emancipation Day and the abolition of slavery in the Dutch Caribbean in 1863, the Sint Maarten Library warmly invites the public to an engaging afternoon of history, literature, and the performing arts.

The event will take place on Saturday, July 4, 2026, from 4:00 PM to 5:00 PM at the University of St. Martin (USM), where the Sint Maarten Library will host a special cultural presentation based on the newly published children's book New Moon for Quashiba. The Sint Maarten Development Fund, the Department of Culture, and the Herdenkingscomité Slavernijverleden (Slavery Memorial Committee) support this program, and the Slavery Memorial Committee helps make this event possible through its contribution.

This immersive heritage experience will feature a live theatrical reenactment inspired by the book New Moon for Quashiba, presented by local author Joselyne Arnell. Through storytelling and performance, the event will highlight themes of resilience, identity, and freedom, offering audiences a meaningful opportunity to reflect on Sint Maarten's history and cultural legacy.

The program will open with a ceremonial blowing of the conch shell, followed by a powerful performance by local and regional dancers, setting a reflective and celebratory tone for this important observance.

The Sint Maarten Library encourages families, students, and community members of all ages to attend this meaningful commemoration. The event seeks to foster awareness, dialogue, and appreciation of the island's shared heritage while honoring the strength and endurance of our ancestors.

For additional information or to register, kindly contact the Sint Maarten Library at +1 (721) 542-2970.

~Open letter raises concerns about student safety, classroom conditions, paid after-school lessons, and school management.~

PHILIPSBURG: --- A group identifying itself as Parents and Residents of St. Maarten has issued a strongly worded open letter to Education, Culture, Youth and Sport (ECYS) Minister Melissa Gumbs and Methodist Agogic Center (MAC) Principal Mr. White, calling for immediate intervention to address what they describe as a growing list of problems affecting students, teachers, and parents.

The letter outlines concerns ranging from overcrowded classrooms and inadequate support for children with special educational needs to poor sanitation, teacher absences, ventilation in classrooms, and the regulation of privately operated afternoon classes.

Parents argue that schools are increasingly transferring responsibilities that belong to educators into families.

"Parents should support their children's education," the letter states, "but instruction, supervision, classroom management, differentiation, and academic intervention remain the responsibility of the school."

According to the parents, teachers and school management are professionally trained and compensated to provide these services, and parents should not be expected to compensate for shortcomings in staffing, planning, or classroom support.

Concerns Over Large Classes

One of the major issues highlighted is classroom size, with parents claiming that some classes have between 23 and 26 students without teacher aides.

They argue that these conditions make it nearly impossible for teachers to provide individualized attention or properly support students who require additional educational assistance.

The letter specifically calls for intervention plans for children with learning disabilities, behavioral challenges, ADHD, and other special educational needs.

Parents are urging the Ministry to fund teacher assistants for larger classrooms to help with supervision, organization, and small-group instruction.

Minister's Visit Must Produce Results

The parents also questioned what has happened following the Minister's previous visit to the school.

"If the concerns were serious enough for a ministerial visit," the letter states, "parents should now be seeing clear action, timelines, and accountability."

They are requesting a written update explaining what measures have been implemented and when outstanding issues will be addressed.

Dirty Bathrooms and Poor Learning Environment

Another issue raised concerns the condition of the school's bathrooms.

Students reportedly described the facilities as dirty, foul-smelling, and unpleasant to use.

Parents argue that clean and properly maintained bathrooms are not a luxury but a basic requirement for students’ health, dignity, and well-being.

They also cited complaints about poor classroom ventilation and uncomfortable learning conditions, calling for improvements in classroom safety and infrastructure.

Teacher Absences and Staff Morale

The letter raises concerns regarding teacher absences and the lack of substitute teachers, urging the Ministry to establish a clear substitute-teacher policy to minimize disruptions to learning.

Parents also reminded government that the unresolved 2.5 indexing issue affecting teachers and school staff should not be ignored.

According to the letter, fair compensation is directly linked to staff morale, teacher retention, and the overall quality of education.

The authors argue that unresolved employment issues should never result in additional financial pressure being placed on parents.

Claims of Poor Communication and Retaliation

Perhaps among the most serious concerns are allegations regarding the way some parents say they are treated when raising concerns about their children.

According to the letter, several parents feel they are spoken to disrespectfully or dismissed by certain staff members.

Even more troubling, some parents reportedly fear that after raising concerns, their children become targets in the classroom through discouragement, embarrassment, or differential treatment.

The letter urges school leadership to ensure that no student suffers retaliation because a parent exercised the right to ask questions or seek assistance.

Parents also called on administrators to prevent favoritism within the school and ensure that staff members are held accountable when complaints are substantiated.

Questions Over Paid Afternoon Classes

The open letter also raises questions regarding privately operated afternoon classes reportedly conducted by individual teachers.

According to the parents, families are paying approximately US$350 per month for these extra lessons.

They argue that such costs place a significant burden on many households, particularly single-parent families already struggling with the rising cost of living.

Parents are calling on the Ministry of Education and other relevant authorities to establish clear regulations governing paid after-school instruction.

Among their requests is that official receipts be issued for every payment collected and that all applicable tax obligations be complied with.

The letter also asks authorities to ensure that any commercial educational activities involving teachers are conducted transparently and within the law.

Food Safety Questions Raised

Parents additionally questioned situations where teachers or staff members may be preparing or selling food to students during school activities or private after-school sessions.

They argue that anyone preparing or serving food to children should possess the appropriate food handler certification and comply with all public health requirements.

They further requested inspections of any private homes or facilities being used for paid educational activities where food is prepared or served.

Child Protection Remains Central

The authors emphasize that student safety must remain the highest priority.

Referring to previous sexual misconduct cases involving school environments on St. Maarten, they argue that trust alone is insufficient to safeguard children.

They are calling for stronger safeguarding policies, improved supervision, clear reporting mechanisms, background screening where required, and greater accountability throughout the education system.

The letter stresses that schools must continually strengthen measures to prevent misconduct and ensure that every child learns in a safe environment.

Sixteen Recommendations

The parents conclude their appeal with 16 specific recommendations, including hiring teacher assistants, reducing class sizes where necessary, improving facilities, strengthening support for students with special educational needs, enforcing substitute-teacher policies, addressing bullying and retaliation, regulating paid afternoon classes, ensuring food safety compliance, improving communication with parents, and enhancing cooperation between schools, school boards, the Ministry of ECYS, parents, and relevant government agencies.

The letter ends with a direct appeal to government officials.

"Parents are not asking for excuses. Parents are asking for action, accountability, respectful communication, proper education, clean facilities, and real solutions for the children of St. Maarten."

At the time of publication, neither the Ministry of Education nor the management of the Methodist Agogic Center had publicly responded to the concerns outlined in the open letter.

Letter to the Minister of Education Melissa Gumbs.

To: Mrs. Gumbs
Minister of Education, Culture, Youth and Sport
Government of St. Maarten

And: Mr. White
Principal
Methodist Agogic Center

Subject: Concerns Regarding Student Safety, School Accountability, Parent Workload, Cleanliness, and Afternoon Classes

Dear Mrs. Gumbs and Mr. White,

We are writing to express serious concern regarding several ongoing matters affecting students, parents, and the wider school community at the Methodist Agogic Center.

Parents are increasingly concerned that too much of the school’s responsibility is being shifted onto parents. Parents should support their children’s education, but instruction, supervision, classroom management, differentiation, and academic intervention are the school's responsibility. Teachers and school leaders are trained and paid to carry out these duties, and parents should not be expected to make up for gaps in staffing, planning, communication, or classroom support.

There are also concerns about overcrowded classrooms, with some classes having approximately 23 to 26 students and no teacher’s aide. This makes it difficult to provide proper attention, differentiated learning, and support for students with special educational needs. Students with learning challenges, behavioral needs, ADHD, or other needs must be properly supported through clear intervention plans and proper communication with parents. For larger classes, the school should hire teacher assistants to support supervision, small-group instruction, classroom organization, and individual student support.

Parents are also concerned about teacher absences, poor ventilation, uncomfortable classroom conditions, and the lack of proper follow-up after the Minister’s visit to the school. If the concerns were serious enough to warrant a ministerial visit, parents should see clear action, timelines, and accountability.

There are also concerns about the cleanliness and hygiene of the bathrooms. According to students, the bathrooms are smelly, dirty, and unpleasant to use. This is unacceptable in a school environment. Clean, safe, repaired, and properly maintained bathrooms are a basic requirement for student health, dignity, and comfort.

The issue of the 2.5 indexing should also not be forgotten. Teachers and school staff must be treated fairly and compensated properly, as staff morale, teacher retention, and the quality of education are directly connected. When teachers feel fairly paid and respected, there is less pressure or temptation to shift extra costs back onto parents through paid afternoon classes or additional services. Education should not become an extra financial burden on parents because unresolved compensation issues are not being properly addressed.

There are also concerns about how some staff members communicate with parents. Parents should not be treated rudely, dismissed, or made to feel like a problem for raising valid concerns. Unfortunately, some parents feel that after they speak to teachers or raise concerns about their child, the child becomes targeted, discouraged, or demotivated in the classroom. This creates fear among parents and students and discourages open communication. Leadership must ensure that no child is treated unfairly because a parent has spoken up.

Leadership must also avoid favoritism, over-familiarity, or any appearance that staff members are being protected from accountability. When staff members are wrong, they must be corrected, and parent concerns must be handled fairly, professionally, and without retaliation.

We are also requesting clarity regarding the multiple afternoon classes being offered by individual teachers at an approximate cost of $350 per month. These classes should be properly monitored and regulated by the relevant authorities to protect students, parents, and staff. If fees are being collected, each parent or student should receive an official receipt. The school and relevant authorities must ensure that there is no promotion or practice of tax evasion in any form. The cost of $350 per month is also a heavy burden for many single parents and families and should be reviewed carefully.

In addition, if teachers or staff members are cooking, preparing, selling, or serving food to students, whether at school or during private afternoon classes at home, they should have the required food handler certificate or any other required approval. Homes or locations used for paid student classes where food is prepared or served should also be inspected by the necessary authorities. Student health and safety must come first, and food provided to children must be handled according to proper hygiene and safety standards.

Student safety must remain a top priority. Past sexual scandals in school environments remind us that trust alone is not enough. Proper safeguarding, supervision, background checks where required, reporting procedures, and accountability must be in place to protect every child.

We are asking for the following actions:

1. Hire teacher assistants for large or overcrowded classes where additional support is clearly needed.
2. Review class sizes and ensure proper student supervision and assistance.
3. Support students with special educational needs through proper intervention plans.
4. Improve classroom ventilation, comfort, and safety.
5. Ensure bathrooms are cleaned, repaired, monitored, and maintained throughout the school day.
6. Enforce a clear substitute-teacher policy when teachers are absent.
7. Address bullying, name-calling, rude communication, and any form of retaliation against students or parents by teachers and students.
8. Ensure no student is targeted, embarrassed, or demotivated because a parent raised a concern.
9. Ensure compulsory education is fully implemented, including physical education and the full curriculum.
10. Provide clear follow-up after the Minister’s visit, including written action points and timelines.
11. Regulate individual teacher-paid afternoon classes and require official receipts for all payments. Stop the tax invasion.
12. Review the high cost of paid afternoon classes, especially where parents are being charged approximately $350 per month.
13. Ensure any teacher or staff member preparing, selling, or serving food to students has the required food handler certificate.
14. Ensure any private home or location used for paid student classes and food preparation is inspected by the relevant authorities.
15. Strengthen student safeguarding policies, supervision, reporting procedures, and accountability to protect children from misconduct or abuse. Lets not forget the sexual scandals in the past.
16. Strengthen cooperation between the school, school board, MECYS, parents, and the relevant authorities.

Parents are not asking for excuses. Parents are asking for action, accountability, respectful communication, proper education, clean facilities, and real solutions for the children of St. Maarten.

Respectfully,

Parents and Residents of St. Maarten