School of Thought: Building St. Maarten Through Education, Together

The government of Sint Maarten must assume a more active role in the day-to-day management of subsidized schools. It cannot limit itself to financial support through the subsidy ordinance while leaving boards with unchecked autonomy. Education is too important, too central to our country’s future, to be managed without strong and accountable oversight.

Over the years, troubling issues have surfaced within schools; serious cases of sexual harassment, misconduct, and poor governance. Today, we are faced with the painful matter of hair discrimination. These are not isolated incidents but recurring reminders that without stronger intervention, students, teachers, and parents are left vulnerable to systems that fail them.

Government’s role is twofold. First, as financier, it must demand greater accountability from subsidized school boards. When public funds sustain institutions, public accountability must follow. Subsidized schools cannot be allowed to operate with autonomy that shields them from transparency or prevents swift and fair action when problems arise.

Second, government is the competent authority of public education. Through the Division Public Education (DPE), it has a direct responsibility for the management of public schools. That means ensuring that funding earmarked for public education actually reaches schools, staff, and students. Checks and balances must be strengthened so that resources improve teaching quality, empower staff, and give students the tools they need to thrive. Every guilder budgeted for public education must translate into visible improvements in classrooms, learning conditions, and teacher support.

Some may argue: Why publish this publicly when you serve as the right hand of the Prime Minister? Why not settle it internally with coalition partners? Won’t this article be used against you in the next budget debate?

The answer is simple: education is not a partisan matter. It is not a political bargaining chip. It is the lifeblood of our country’s development. My commitment to education did not begin with politics, it began in the classroom, as a teacher, school manager, and union leader. Speaking openly about the challenges facing our education system is not a betrayal of government or coalition partners. On the contrary, it is a call for all of us, government, school boards, teachers, and parents, to act with urgency and responsibility.

If this article is raised in a budget debate, so be it. What better place to demand accountability for how public money is spent than during the country’s highest discussion on finances? If my words spark that debate, it means education is finally taking its rightful place at the center of our country’s priorities.

When government steps back, whether with subsidized boards or in its own role over public schools, the results are the same: slow responses, fragmented solutions, or silence. This creates mistrust, erodes confidence, and ultimately jeopardizes the well-being of our students. A stronger government presence at the decision-making table means clearer accountability, consistent policy enforcement, and protection of the most vulnerable, our children. It ensures that when cases of harassment or discrimination arise, they are addressed with transparency, fairness, and urgency, not brushed aside in the name of autonomy.

Education is the cornerstone of building Sint Maarten. It is time for government to step up beyond subsidies and beyond rhetoric, and claim its rightful place as both watchdog over subsidized schools and steward of public education. Stronger oversight, clear standards, and an unwavering commitment to fairness and equity must guide us forward.

And while government must lead, teachers and parents must also hold the system accountable. Your voices, your experiences, and your advocacy are essential to shaping change. Together, with government, educators, and families at the same table, we can build the quality education system that Sint Maarten’s children deserve.

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