PHILIPSBURG:--- The General Audit Chamber presented its report entitled ‘Compliance Audit: 2022 Financial Statements St. Maarten’ to Parliament. The Audit Chamber assesses whether the government has managed St. Maarten's public funds in a legally consistent and effective manner.
By law, the Financial Statement 2022 should have been drafted before September 1, 2023. However, the Audit Chamber, together with the internal accountant SOAB, received the 2022 Financial Statements on January 4, 2024. Following SOAB’s audit, which was completed on July 29th, 2024, the Audit Chamber had six weeks to present their report to Parliament. They met this legal deadline by submitting their report on September 6th.
Similar to the findings in the 2021 Financial Statements, the Audit Chamber concludes that the 2022 Financial Statements do not provide a true and fair representation of the government's income, expenses, and financial position as of December 31, 2022. The Audit Chamber has identified ongoing irregularities and deficiencies, including significant legal and structural errors, which undermine the accuracy and reliability of financial reporting.
The unreliability of the 2022 Financial Statements makes it challenging, if not impossible, to use the actual performance figures in preparing the next budget. Moreover, the ongoing lack of transparency and accountability in financial management has led to serious legal concerns. This resulted in an audit in 2024 specifically into the allocation of vehicle taxes. This audit marked a preparatory phase in the process of formal objection. The Audit Chamber can take measures, such as the objection, to enforce accountability and safeguard that recommended actions for improved financial management and governance are seriously considered and not ignored without just cause.
The Audit Chamber also notes that Parliament lacks sufficient insight to adequately assess the efficiency of financial management and the achievement of policy goals. “We stress the importance of sound financial management, as it not only ensures efficient use of tax revenues but also builds public trust in government, increases tax income, reduces financial dependence on the Kingdom, and diminishes the need for stricter financial oversight” the Chairman of the Audit Chamber concluded.
The report is published in both English and Dutch and is available on the website of the General Audit Chamber (www.arsxm.org).

PHILIPSBURG:--- The Police Force of Sint Maarten has intensified traffic control measures in the Philipsburg area as part of ongoing efforts to maintain public safety and order. During the week of September 2 to September 8, 2024, officers conducted several traffic enforcement actions that resulted in the issuance of 105 fines to drivers for various violations.

The majority of these fines were issued to drivers who parked illegally on Codville Webster Street, as well as on the sidewalks, creating hazards for pedestrians and other road users. Additionally, fines were issued for other traffic infractions, including failure to wear seatbelts.

Officers have again observed drivers utilizing the square in front of the Courthouse for parking despite the clear signage at the entrance explicitly prohibiting such activities. The police would like to remind the public that parking or stopping on the square is not allowed, and further enforcement actions will be taken against those who violate these regulations.

The Police Force of Sint Maarten remains committed to ensuring the safety and well-being of all residents and visitors. We urge everyone to adhere to traffic rules and respect designated parking areas to avoid fines and contribute to the smooth flow of traffic in Philipsburg.

PHILIPSBURG:--- What better place to celebrate the theme of International Literacy Day (ILD) 2024, “Promoting multilingual education: Literacy for mutual understanding and peace”? And who better in that place for a school to pick for its ILD program?
The place is St. Martin of course, an island with a multilingual culture that existed among its native population long before the 1970s tourism boom attracted various language speakers to its shores from the Caribbean region and around the world.
So, who did the MAC primary school invite to address grade 6 for its ILD observation last Friday? Dr. Rhoda Arrindell, educator, leading linguist, and author, said her publisher HNP.
“It was an interactive reading session. From the book Disaster Matters I read ‘Preparedness’ by Opal Adisa from Jamaica, and from St. Martin ‘20 More Minutes’ and ‘Gone with Irma’ by Fabian Badejo, and ‘After the Storm’ by Tamara Groeneveldt,” said Arrindell.
Arrindell shared with Teacher Johnelle Fitzpatrick’s class the importance of reading books about St. Martin and the Caribbean along with literatures from around the world.
“The idea was also to bring across to our young people a main reason for ILD, that literacy, in the words of UNESCO, ‘opens the door to the enjoyment of other human rights, greater freedoms, and global citizenship,’” said Arrindell.
“I shared with the students how a book like Disaster Matters is put together with editors and writers from the Caribbean and beyond, and published in St. Martin by HNP.
“At the end, I quizzed the students, and they were able to win copies of 6 Poems by Lasana Sekou, the newest book by the St. Martin writer, in English, French, and Spanish, and published on the island by Les Fruits de Mer,” said Arrindell.
“The kids had a ball, especially when they participated by reciting the chorus in Fabian’s ‘Gone with Irma.’ And they were very eager to win the book by Lasana,” said Arrindell.
Arrindell’s book, Language, Culture and Identity in St. Martin (HNP, 2014), remains “a unique groundbreaking work” for its research, according to Dr. Alma Simounet of the University of Puerto Rico. Arrindell also has a UNESCO connection. During her term here as education minister in 2011, she got St. Martin (South) admitted as an associate member of the UN organization, said HNP.
“Since 1967, the annual celebrations of International Literacy Day (ILD) have taken place on 8 September around the world to remind policy-makers, practitioners, and the public of the critical importance of literacy for creating more literate, just, peaceful, and sustainable society,” said UNESCO on Sunday (unesco.org/en/days/literacy).

~Yang, Mohammed vying for top spot~

PHILIPSBURG:---  The St. Maarten Academy CAPE division has hit a home run with a record-breaking ninety-eight per cent (98%) overall pass rate in the 2024 May/June sitting of the Caribbean Advanced Proficiency Examination (CAPE). The teachers have once again showcased their unwavering dedication and hard work, while the students have proven their academic prowess with outstanding results.
The competition for this year's top spot at graduation is fierce, with Yu Jun Eason Yang and Eimaan Mohammed emerging as top contenders. Both students have excelled over the past two years of the program, with Yu Jun Eason Yang earning straight A profiles in Accounting Unit 1, Computer Science Unit 2, Information Technology Unit 1, and Performing Arts Unit 1. In close contention is Eimaan Mohammed, who achieved straight A profiles in Digital Media Unit 1, Management of Business Unit 1, and Performing Arts Unit 1.
School Principal, Mrs. Kim Lucas-Felix, expressed her joy and pride in the students' achievements, stating, "I am once again elated with the students' performance in the CXC CAPE Exams. Their commitment to excellence and their determination to succeed have truly paid off." She also heaped praises on her teachers, who have toiled in spite of challenges during the last academic year. Lucas-Felix echoed the sentiments shared last Thursday at the orientation for the CAPE Division that without the teachers, this feat would not have been possible.
The exceptional results reflect the high standards of education and the supportive learning environment provided by St. Maarten Academy. The school remains committed to nurturing and empowering students to reach their full potential and achieve academic success.
The school’s Management Team, led by Lucas-Felix and supported by Vice Principal Ms Joanna Trim; new CAPE Coordinator, Mrs. Doreen Edwards-Mac Intosh; Discipline Coach, Mrs. Souad Azbouni-Meskini; and head of the Mathematics Department, Mr. Alberick Arrendell expressed gratitude to the Board of the Foundation for Academic and Vocational Education (FAVE) for the confidence it placed in them to guide the pre-university programme.

“We could not have done it without the support of parents, too. Sometimes, when the students are a little off track, we call in parents because, in the end, our mission is to ensure that all students are successful.”

Lucas-Felix said the contribution of the former acting CAPE Coordinator, Ms. Kester Small, cannot go unnoticed. Small, who prepared some of the candidates for Digital Media Unit 2 and returned 100 per cent pass rate with all students scoring Grade I.
“All in all, this was a good year of results, and there are so many things in the pipeline for the CAPE Division, but those will be revealed in due time,” stated the principal. She extended congratulations to all the candidates, especially those who will be receiving their Associate Degree, and would like to urge those who are registered to continue the journey to always do their best.