Philipsburg:--- Minister of Education, Culture, Sports, and Youth Affairs Silveria Jacobs announced on Wednesday during the Council of Ministers' press briefing that a number of teachers (52+) were not paid during the month of August and her Ministry is busy working on regulating the matter. Minister Jacobs said that the non-payment of the teachers is a repeat and it is very much undesirable for her Ministry but they are looking for ways to avoid it in the future.
Minister Jacobs said that procedures were not finalized and the procedure she said is somewhat long within the government machinery. Minister Jacobs said she is of the opinion that government has to work harder to get these procedures completed on time. The Minister said that there are cases where they have teachers whose contracts were up and had to be renewed while others were scheduled to go into permanent service and since their paperwork was not submitted for the payment of their salaries then they were thrown out of the system. The Education Minister further explained that her ministry is working closely with the Finance Department to ensure that these teachers are paid by next week.
Evaluation of Teachers' Diplomas to take place on St. Maarten.
Minister Jacobs also told reporters on Wednesday that based on complaints her Ministry received from the Windward Island Teachers Union (WITU) about the procedures and evaluation of teachers, a meeting was held with the division of examinations to discuss the process of diploma evaluations. Minister Jacobs said a presentation was given by drs. Yvette Halley outlining the policy and procedure with regards to the evaluation process. Minister Jacobs said that two staff members from the department have been trained and certified by NUFFIC to evaluate degrees. Minister Jacobs further explained that the service level agreement with the ATE government will not be renewed at the end of the year and a database will be created to register all diplomas in the future. Minister Jacobs said that the division of examinations will be making a presentation to the various school boards and the WITU regarding the evaluation of degrees and diplomas.
The Minister also issued a call to all school boards who have not yet sent in the diplomas for their new teachers to do so at their earliest opportunity.
Accreditation of TEP Program.
Minister of Education Silveria Jacobs announced on Wednesday that efforts are being made to have the Teachers Education Program (TEP) accredited by the Dutch Accreditation Organization (NVAO). Minister Jacobs said five other education related programs including Mathematics, Science, and teacher's certification are among the programs to be accredited. The Minister of Education said that scholarships for the TEP program are also available to students who would like to pursue their career in education. Persons that are interested must register at her cabinet at the Government Administration Building.
Students that are receiving scholarships abroad are requested to submit their grades and transcripts in order for the government of St. Maarten to extend their scholarship. Minister Jacobs said that thus far some 80% of students already submitted their information but there are a number of students that are studying in the Netherlands who did not comply. The Minister is therefore calling on all students who did not submit their grades and transcripts to do so forthwith. Students in the Netherlands are asked to provide their information to S4 in the Netherlands. Minister Jacobs said that this information was to be submitted by July 15th and since government does not want to cut students scholarships they have extended the date to September 7th, 2012.
Secretary General Claudette Labega Foresight leaving on Pension --- Harrigan in the Interim.
The Secretary General for ECYS Claudette Labega Foresight will be leaving on retirement after serving the island government for 35 years. Mrs. Labega Foresight will be leaving on vacation prior to her retirement date which is scheduled for November 2012. Quincy Harrigan will replace the SG in the interim.