PHILIPSBURG:--- The Student Support Services Division of the Ministry of Education, Culture, Youth and Sport is once again hosting its workshop, “Applying to Schools in the Netherlands,” on September 17, 2026, at the University of St. Martin from 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM.
This workshop is geared toward exam-class and pre-exam-class secondary school students, as well as recent graduates, who are interested in continuing their studies in the Netherlands.
The “Applying to Schools in the Netherlands”workshop will focus on the main tertiary education systems in the Netherlands, including MBO, HBO, and WO. During the workshop, the focus will be on both academic and vocational tracks and on schools offering Dutch and English instruction in the Netherlands. SSSD officials added that they will also discuss costs, since many students and parents believe studying in the Netherlands is less expensive than in the United States or Canada.
As far as applications are concerned, officials indicated that for some students, applying to schools is not straightforward, and it is important for them to know how their education from St. Maarten aligns with that in the Netherlands. They added that changes occur frequently in the educational field in the Netherlands and our students should be aware of such.
Parents are urged to encourage their children to participate in this workshop. Students are encouraged to register in advance by calling the Student Support Services Division at tel: 543-1235 or by visiting SSSD’s Facebook page and scanning the QR code on the flyer. If parents or students have questions about this workshop, they can also call the number above or email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.for more information.
Interested persons can also visit the SSSD office, which is in the Gatsby’s Building across from the Police Station and next to WIB.
The Student Support Services Division (SSSD) provides services to students referred by the schools, such as psychological services, counseling services, social work services, educational diagnostic services, and speech-language pathology services. SSSD also provides general services, including career services, parent sessions, and crisis response.