PHILIPSBURG:---  The Ministry of Education, Culture, Youth and Sport (ECYS), the National Recovery Program Bureau (NRPB), and the World Bank recently met to review the progress of the Fostering Resilient Learning Project (FRLP). The mission covered updates across all four components of the project which include the construction of new school and library buildings, the development of an inclusive education training program, administration of national learning assessments, and the implementation of a new digital system to help strengthen planning and decision-making in the education sector.

One of the focus areas was the integration of the Educational Care Centre (ECC) Program, which will support students with significant behavioral challenges. The program will be implemented at the reconstructed Charles Leopold Bell (CLB) School and incorporated into MECYS' existing education policy. The talks also covered how the ECC program will align with school operations and support better access and outcomes for students with behavioral difficulties across Sint Maarten’s education system. Furthermore, the ECC program shall closely align with the inclusive education policy of MECYS.

Construction timelines for CLB School, the St Maarten Library and Sister Marie Laurence (SML) School were also reviewed. All three buildings are planned for completion in the first quarter of 2027, with the demolition of the existing structures slated for completion in the fourth quarter of this year.

The digital platform known as the Ministry Management Information System (MMIS) was another key focus. A team from Softengi LLCC, the company contracted by the NRPB to develop the system, conducted virtual and in-person meetings with ministry staff, school boards, and the government’s ICT department. These sessions will help the developer determine the Ministry’s data collection needs and how the system architecture should function to support decision-making across all MECYS departments. The MMIS is being designed to create a central repository of data for the departments of the Ministry of ECYS, making it easier to retrieve data for planning and monitoring of school performance, rolling out new initiatives, and providing better support to students and teachers.

The FRLP project team also visited the Marie Genevieve de Weever Primary School, along with representatives from the World Bank, the ministry, and the NRPB. The visit focused on how the school's existing School Information System (SIS) might interface with the MMIS in the future. These meetings also included discussions on the Education Care Center Program. The school’s ICT focal point and psychologist were on hand to provide important insights into the SIS and Education Care Center Program respectively.

Another point of discussion was the recent experience of administering a second national learning assessment. The results of this assessment will help the ministry make informed decisions to improve student performance, implement remedial action, and adjust teaching methods where needed.

The mission concluded with the World Bank noting improvements in the project’s progress over the past months. Despite experienced setbacks that resulted in the termination of a key tender process, the World Bank acknowledged the efforts made by the FRLP team to keep the project moving forward and on track to meet its targets before the scheduled conclusion in 2027.

The Honorable Minister of ECYS, Melissa Gumbs, while giving her support, emphasized the importance of visible results, especially the start of demolition and construction at the schools and library. She expressed the ministry’s commitment to ensuring readiness of all departments to integrate the MMIS once it is operational.

“The transformation of our schools must go beyond bricks and mortar. It must also reflect a shift toward more inclusive and supportive learning environments. Through the FRLP, we are not only rebuilding physical spaces but also strengthening the systems and services that ensure every child, regardless of their challenges, has the opportunity to succeed.”

FRLP is implemented by the NRPB on behalf of the Government of Sint Maarten. It is funded by the Sint Maarten Trust Fund, financed by the Government of the Netherlands and managed by the World Bank.

PORT ST. MAARTEN:---  The Port St. Maarten Group (PSG) would like to inform mariners and other stakeholders that Dock Maarten Marina has dredged a channel and turning basin to give vessels with deep draft, that cannot cross the sand bar in Great Bay, access to and from their marina.

Mariners and boat owners should confirm with Marina for water depths and if there are any changes in the channel, as well as depths at their facility.

Bobby’s Marina can be reached on Marine VHF Channels calling 16 and working on 69, and Dock Maarten Marina on Marine VHF Channels, calling on 16 and working on 87.

Anchoring is prohibited in or near the channel or turning basin so that the channel is obstructed.

Mooring alongside marinas should not obstruct access to or from any of the facilities or properties.

The channel and turning basin, access to the marinas and adjacent properties are not to be used as a shelter in case of inclement weather as this poses a danger to these properties.

Use of the channel is in accordance with the International Regulations for Preventing Collisions at Sea 1972.

The channel is marked in accordance with the International Association of Lighthouse Authorities Zone B.

For vessels going to the Northeast side of Great Bay, using the channel, captains must take note, red buoys are on the right side of the channel when coming from the sea; green markers are on the left side of the channel coming from the sea; yellow markers are special markers showing the turning circle of the dredged area.

Mariners must take note of the following information for the use of the channel based on International Regulations for Preventing Collisions at Sea 1972.

Part B — Steering and sailing rules Section I — Conduct of vessels in any condition of visibility. Rule 9 — Narrow channels

(a) A vessel proceeding along the course of a narrow channel or fairway shall keep as near to the outer limit of the channel or fairway which lies on her starboard side as is safe and practicable.

(b) A vessel of less than 20 meters in length or a sailing vessel shall not impede the passage of a vessel which can safely navigate only within a narrow channel or fairway.

(c) A vessel engaged in fishing shall not impede the passage of any other vessel navigating within a narrow channel or fairway.

(d) A vessel shall not cross a narrow channel or fairway if such crossing impedes the passage of a vessel which can safely navigate only within such channel or fairway. The latter vessel may use the sound signal prescribed in Rule 34(d) if in doubt as to the intention of the crossing vessel.

(e) (i) In a narrow channel or fairway when overtaking can take place only if the vessel to be overtaken must take action to permit safe passing, the vessel intending to overtake shall indicate her intention by sounding the appropriate signal prescribed in Rule 34(c)(i). The vessel to be overtaken shall, if in agreement, sound the appropriate signal prescribed in Rule 34(c)(ii) and take steps to permit safe passing. If in doubt she may sound the signals prescribed in Rule 34(d). (ii) This Rule does not relieve the overtaking vessel of her obligation under Rule 13.

(f) A vessel nearing a bend or an area of a narrow channel or fairway where other vessels may be obscured by an intervening obstruction shall navigate with alertness and caution and shall sound the appropriate signal prescribed in Rule 34(e).

(g) Any vessel shall, if the circumstances of the case admit, avoid anchoring in a narrow channel

Section II – Vessels in sight of one another:

Rule 18: 

(d) (i) Any vessel other than a vessel not under command or a vessel restricted in her ability to maneuver shall, if the circumstances of the case admit, avoid impeding the safe passage of a vessel constrained by her draught, exhibiting the signals in Rule 28.

Part C — Lights and shapes.

Rule 28:

A vessel constrained by her draught may, in addition to the lights prescribed for power-driven vessels in Rule 23, exhibit where they can best be seen three all-round red lights in a vertical line, or a cylinder.

HARBOUR VIEW, PHILIPSBURG:--- The Governor of Sint Maarten, His Excellency Ajamu G. Baly, has officially installed the Organizing Committee for the 2025 Governor’s Symposium. This year’s symposium is comprised of Mr. Garrick Richardson (Chair), Ms. Cassandra Jansen, Ms. Withney Murray, Mr. Emilio Kalmera, Mr. Jessey Salomon, Ms. Melanie Choisy, and Mrs. Arienne Lindeijer (Aide-de-Camp to the Governor).

The 2025 Governor’s Symposium carries historic significance as it commemorates the 15th anniversary of Sint Maarten attaining country status within the Kingdom of the Netherlands. In deviation from its traditional June scheduling, this year’s symposium has been intentionally rescheduled to coincide with the 15th anniversary, underscoring the significance of this national milestone while offering a unique moment for national reflection and forward-thinking dialogue. Many individuals have played pivotal roles in the attainment of this status, and many continue to contribute meaningfully to the development of Sint Maarten today. In recognition of this, the Organizing Committee is actively working to ensure that the voices and perspectives of both the young and the experienced are meaningfully represented throughout the symposium.

The symposium will be held under the theme: “15 Years of Constitutional Autonomy: Achievements, Lessons, and Prospects.” It is scheduled to take place on Friday, October 10, 2025, at the auditorium of the American University of the Caribbean School of Medicine (AUC), in Cupecoy.

The Governor’s Symposium is an annual event initiated by the Governor of Sint Maarten to promote dialogue, innovation, and collaboration on matters crucial to national development. It is a supportive platform for all invited stakeholders - government, civil society, and the private sector - to focus, raise awareness and, function as a catalyst for important discourse within the Sint Maarten community. This year’s symposium will serve not only as an occasion to highlight the afore but also as a landmark opportunity to assess Sint Maarten’s progress as a self-governing nation and to collectively envision the road ahead.

Due to the limited space, the Governor’s Symposium is by invitation only. The Governor is inviting persons who are interested in attending the symposium to submit their personal requests via e-mail This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or via the Governor’s Facebook page. The deadline to submit your personal request is Wednesday, August 13, 2025. Based on the information submitted, thirty (30) persons will be selected and invited.

For those unable to attend in-person, the Symposium can also be followed via livestream. The livestream will be available to the public from 08:30AM, on Friday, October 10, 2025, and can be accessed via the Governor’s social media channels.

Further updates will be provided as preparations progress.

PHILIPSBURG:---  The launch of The Now Generation Foundation marked not just the beginning of a promising initiative, but a bold declaration that the future of St. Maarten begins today. The Honorable Prime Minister, Dr. Luc Mercelina, delivered a stirring keynote address, pledging his full endorsement and issuing a heartfelt call to action for all of society to rally behind the nation’s youth.

“This is not about yesterday’s failures or tomorrow’s dreams,” Prime Minister Mercelina affirmed. “This is about the urgency of now—the transformation of lives today.”

The Prime Minister hailed The Now Generation Foundation not merely as a community initiative, but as a national movement—one that speaks directly to the social, spiritual, and generational challenges faced by St. Maarten’s young people. With conviction, he declared that “the time for talk has passed—it is now the season for action.”

Drawing on his experience as a physician, PM Dr. Mercelina likened the Foundation’s work to a healing process—one that goes beyond the physical to mend the spirit of a nation.

“Just as I’ve worked to heal the body in my years of medical practice,” he said, “today we must commit to healing the wounds of our society—with compassion, with purpose, and with action.”

In one of the most powerful moments of his address, the Prime Minister challenged the nation to move past narrow definitions of identity and embrace a collective sense of responsibility:

“We must reject the mindset of ‘Me born here’ as an excuse for division,” he stated. “Being born here is not a status—it is a responsibility. Let us wear it not as entitlement, but as duty.”

PM Dr. Mercelina praised Esther St. Luce, the founder of The Now Generation Foundation, for her vision and unwavering commitment to equipping and guiding young lives. He described her leadership as “inspired and courageous,” noting that “our society needs more Esther's — people willing to build, not just complain.”

“Let our actions speak louder than our labels,” the Prime Minister concluded. “This is our moment to stand up, speak out, and support a generation that is not next—but now.”

As the event came to a close, Prime Minister Mercelina joined in prayer with community members for the youth, their families, and the nation—a symbolic gesture of unity and hope, affirming his government’s commitment to a future led by and built for The Now Generation.