~ Distance Learning should be considered by private institutions.~
PHILIPSBURG:--- The government of St. Maarten namely the Minister of Education Rodolphe Samuel in response to a question on Wednesday Council of Minister's press briefing said that his Ministry never set out to close schools on St. Maarten but in fact has an education continuity plan in place where it is recommended that educational institutions move forward through distance learning.
Asked about the court ruling last Friday where the court ruled that the government especially the Minister of VSA Richard Panneflek should have had a decree in place before trying to shutdown Learning Unlimited a private institution. Minister Panneflek said that his Ministry is respecting the decision of the court even though the health and safety of everyone is a priority.
In the meantime, Caribbean International Academy (CIA) requested that the government have this decree so that they could close their school and move forward with distance learning due to the spike in active COVID-19 cases.
Samuel further explained that when the plan was put in place there were 49 active cases but now its 249 active cases. The Minister explained that St. Maarten has over 7000 students and moving these students and other persons such as teachers and parents will only aid the COVID-19 virus in spreading further.
