Cul de Sac:--- Honorable Minister Silveria Jacobs attended the launch ceremony of Taaldorp Project at the St. Maarten Academy. Taaldorp, a collaborative project between the Dutch departments of the St. Maarten Academy and the St. Dominic school to prepare the respective fifth formers for the speaking component of the upcoming Cambridge Examinations in April, 2016.
With a accumulated amount of 167 fifth formers from both the St. Maarten Academy and St. Dominic High, the students were tested and graded in their speaking skills in eight different role play situations. Students were interviewed by 30 volunteers and teachers to make the speaking assessment possible.
Minister Jacobs addressed the students, stating that “As St. Maarteners, the Dutch language is a part of who we are. Whether you have been taught in Dutch prior to attending the St. Maarten Academy or St. Dominic or have only learned Dutch as a second language, it is important to be knowledgeable of it.”
The Minister also commended the Dutch departments of the St. Maarten Academy and the St. Dominic High for taking such an initiative in preparing their students not only for CXC, but for life as St. Maarteners.