GREAT BAY (DCOMM):--- On Tuesday July 31, Minister of Education, Culture, Youth Affairs and Sports Hon. Silveria Jacobs started the second day of her working visit to the St. Maarten House where she met with Minister Plenipotentiary Hon. Mathias Voges, Deputy Minister Plenipotentiary Hon. Henriette Doran-York, Cabinet Director Cornelius James, Advisor Perry Geerlings to the Cabinet as well as Sr. Policy Advisor Antonio Aventurin and Study Financing Officer Yolanda Martina.
The Minister was given a tour of the facilities and discussions were held on a wide range of topics including the role of the St. Maarten House in the guidance and support of St. Maarteners in the Netherlands.
The Minister also met with board members of the Soualiga Foundation, Chairman Perry Geerlings, Treasurer/Secretary Carol Voges, members Maria Charles, Aishira Cecilia and Garrick Richardson.
The Board gave a presentation regarding their goals, vision and mission. They also reported some preliminary findings of the Student Forum they held in April 2012. Though this first event catered to students, it is the foundation's goal to be a part of a wider support system for all St. Maarteners residing in the Netherlands.
The Foundation aims to actively promote cultural awareness amongst St. Maarteners, fostering pride in St. Maarten's identity as a new country, as well as promoting professionalism.
Meetings were also held with the Board and staff of the S4 foundation at the foundation's offices in Amsterdam. The minister received an update on current affairs, evaluation of the "opvang" of the new students, and engaged in discussions regarding the cooperation agreement between the Government of St. Maarten and S4.
S4 management expressed satisfaction with the improved level of communication and cooperation between Study Financing Division and S4. This resulted in a smooth, seamless transition for St. Maarten's students to the Netherlands without any major hiccups.
A presentation was also made to the delegation by Antonia Libert on language development in both English and Dutch. The presentation focused on solutions and strategies to improve St. Maarten's students' chances of success in the Netherlands.
The day was closed off with a dinner party hosted by S4 in honor of the Minister's visit.