St. Maarten Private Eye

Compulsory Education

Some people still don't get it why graffiti, gangs, youth violence and crime has been rising these past few years. Could it perhaps be a weak and underfunded education system? Govt will claim that education gets the biggest chunk of the island's budget, but the problem with that is that SXM has a shoestring budget.

Sarah claims that compulsory education can't be implemented until the immigration system is fixed, "what" she say's, "would we do with extra classrooms and teachers once illegal children had been deported? Fill them perhaps with more illegal children or thin out over crowded ones maybe Sarah?

Dick Confronts Sarah on Compulsory Education - 26th September 2008

St. Maarten needs clear directives for implementing compulsory education - 25th September 2008

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A top government official once told me "Govt is not responsible for other people's children", meaning illegals or foreigners. Quite wrong in fact because once those children are in your country, the Govt does have a responsibility, particularly if the country wants to be considered part of the civilized World. Children don't choose to be 'undocumented', they are not criminals, and all children deserve the right to protection and education, according to UN conventions that Holland and the Netherlands Antilles are signed up to.

No one likes taxes, especially when collected and spent by a government that gives no accountability or wastes it on frivolous projects, like beautification for example. Drive down Sucker Garden Road and tell me if you consider it beautified.

The future SXM has a choice to remain a tax and duty free island with lousy and poor quality government and services, or we can add a few cents to things like beer, cigarettes and luxury items and have something better. At least that's my opinion.

Sarah goes to church and considers herself moral. Her position has one defense, that immigration must be fixed. But denying children the opportunity for an education is not moral, it is disgraceful. Next time you see children hanging out on the street, or feel that tingle of fear as a gang of youths cross the street to your side, or your car gets stolen, or your house gets burglarized, think about the connection.

A nation's future is it's youth. SXM's youth has been neglected and shortchanged so long, I guess it's no surprise that the undocumented youth get less.

Dr. Voodoo

Updated

Dick on immigration and compulsory education - 30th September 2008

Education and Youth | Dr. Voodoo's blog | 17 comments | read more