Elshot said there are cases where children are registered in schools but they simply do not attend school, she further explained that the undocumented schools on St. Maarten are housing close to 600 students and they are not receiving any subsidy from the island government.
Elshot said a research was conducted and a panel discussion is scheduled to be held this week where owners of the undocumented schools would know if they qualify for government subsidy.
Carmen Hodge director of the Starlight Foundation said they believe that government should use the undocumented schools rather than building more schools immediately. She felt re-opening Lionel Connor school was a bad idea because the undocumented schools have lost some of their students. "We are not receiving subsidy and the school fees that are paid by the parents is what runs the school. Government have taken away some of our students so we are hardly able to meet our over head expenses at the end of the month" Hodge said.
Elshot said if the government is serious in implementing compulsory education then they are going to make sure they crack down on parents. The schoolteacher said they are often faced with parents who would take their children in the middle of the school year on vacation. "There are times when some parents would pick up their children and leave and they would come back whenever they feel like. When this happens the child loses out." Elshot explained. Government has to make sure the school aged students does not travel during the semester. She said in Holland and other islands students who travel during the school year are stopped at the airport. Parents wishing to travel during the school year should have good reasons and must obtain permission from the department of education. Elshot said that is the only way parents would abide by the laws of the island.
