PHILIPSBURG:--- The National Alliance acknowledges education as central to the continued development of St. Maarten moving forward. All other areas - youth, sports, cultural and economic development, labour, preservation of our environment, health care, crime, youth crime etc. are dependent on how Education is addressed.
We therefore introduce "Education" as the first topic of the National Alliance manifesto.
- Evaluate and improve the efficiency and effectiveness in education to meet the needs of 21st century learners, educators, parents, business sector and society at large.
- Evaluate and improve funding of education and related programs
- Revise the primary and secondary schools' curriculum to meet the needs and address the challenges of today's students with special emphasis on Literacy, Math and Science, St. Maarten History, Culture and Social Studies, using more local and Caribbean based textbooks, and include Anti-Bullying, Violence, Sexuality, Drug Awareness
- Implement the use of more IT in teaching, learning and communication
- Place Teacher Assistants in every classroom – utilize USM students as was initiated in 2013 (win-win situation for Student Teachers and Schools)
- Conduct Teacher training and Upgrading based on Performance Assessment
- Implement Annual and Bi-annual Education Conferences to maintain stakeholders participation in the process of continuous improvements in education
- Include Early Stimulation Programs (3/4 years) at every school – land available for such at all new schools
- Provide Special Needs Education for students with special needs, as well as guidance and support for their families
- Provide access to academic levels of education (college prep) for PSVE (VSBO) students to attend 1/2 years academic program leading to a high school/CXC diploma.
- Implement the Educational Care Unit (Onderwijs Opvang) program for At-Risk students
- Establish Baccalaureate/A level programs at more High Schools to increase access to Universities
- Execute After-School Programs in every school – with emphasis on Academic assistance, Sports & Recreation, the Creative and Performance Arts and St. Maarten Culture
- Prioritize the training and employment of local high school students as youth leaders in After School programs and Mentorship programs
- Execute breakfast and lunch programs at each school
- Create an Educational Resource Center for educators
- Create access to Library services (use of technology) in all districts - use Community Centers
- Execute a structured Maintenance Plan for all subsidized schools
POLICIES & PROGRAMS
- Assess and Implement a Health & Safety Policy in schools.
- Mandate First Responder certification for faculty and staff within schools & Training in Fire and disaster drills etc.
- Mandate Emergency exits in all classrooms, Emergency Exit gates on the premises, Panic buttons and telephones in all classrooms, with access to main office, emergency numbers, security, and nursing station.
- Execute the Discipline Policy to be implemented island wide for all students and adults
- Address the language of instruction with input from the various stakeholders and the population of St. Maarten via referendum – Set a Language Policy for St. Maarten
- Establish a Policy to promote volunteerism within the educational system
- Promotion and Execution of Parental Skills Development Programs
- Promotion of Entrepreneurship programs within secondary and tertiary education.
- Low interest loans
- Tax incentives
- Business guidance
- Incentives programs for businesses with tax breaks for granting youth internships & Adult Education Programs for employees
IMPROVEMENT OF TERTIARY EDUCATION OPPORTUNITIES
- Institutional strengthening and finalization of accreditation for University of St. Martin.
- Expand degree programs offered at USM in collaboration with institutions in the Region, USA and Europe, including Distance Learning
- Promotion/Recruitment on island for the profession of teachers at all levels – provide incentives
- Implement TEP program with incentives for both primary and secondary levels
- Re-start Teacher Assistants' Certification Program
- Promote Educational Tourism while professionalizing our own workforce by establishing Institutes for Culinary Arts, Hospitality and Languages at tertiary level.