St. Maarten Private Eye

Slow Train Coming - New School

Remember that new school the DP announced just before the elections last year? You know, right after the NA started hitting on the fact that no new schools have been built for almost a decade. A decade of building new classrooms with aid money from USONA and other sources, creating a sardine like over crowding situation not just in the schools, but also the L.B Scott Road and Cul De Sac. I think it's fairly proven that less crowded and more open schools are conductive to the learning process, not to mention less stressful and less tensions. Sarah thinks
more classrooms are more important than new schools.

Anyway, I noticed Sarah took a tour of the land where the new school is going to be and informed us that the project is at a tender stage, 18 months after being announced. I was wondering, how long do you think it will be before it actually gets off the ground and cement starts being poured? My guess is right before the next elections, whenever they may be, what's yours?

Project for post Secondary School at tender stage - 29th October 2008

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Education and Youth | Hady Nufyet's blog | 2 comments | read more

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

The Three Steps to Crime Prevention

There are many issues facing the new country Sint Maarten. With this blog I do hope to exchange with others on ideas and suggestions how we can confront and be part in the making of this new country. Sint Maarten has been my home for 36 years but I do not like what I see today. Crime is of one of the major issues that will bring this island to her knees if we do not act and prevent the escalation.

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Education and Youth | Justice Police Crime | sooninamerica's blog | 2 comments | read more

Is Low Teacher Pay a Myth?: Teen Times Plagarizes?

Recently we were told that the Today Newspaper lauded an article in the Teen Times of February 27, 2008, entitled "Is Low Teacher pay a myth?" in order for it (Today) to continue its mission of demonizing the protest actions of the teachers. However, we have found that the only thing mythical is the scenario created by the TeenTimes writer.

The writer claims that the article arose out of "a simple debate between two of our writers," and that, "one of the conclusions by one of our writers was something many people only whisper: is low teacher pay a myth? In other words, are teachers getting exactly the amount of pay they deserve and are they simply over-dramatizing this 'where is our money' issue?"

The majority of this article is plagarized and taken out of context. If the Today indeed praised this article, then Shame on the Today newspaper for supporting the Myth of Plagarism!

One can also access the real article online here.

Or read the highlighted plagarized parts for yourself below.
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Education and Youth | Media | sybille's blog | 13 comments | read more

Education is Understanding - Teachers on Strike

image from SMN NEWS

The Teachers are on strike and who, knowing how they have been treated, can blame them? They have been fighting for new salary scales for several years now and have been offered nothing excuses and broken promises.

I support the teachers, I think the education system in SXM is a disgrace, schools getting donations to buy text books on hospitality, are you kidding? People give Sarah too much respect, she is very much like many others in her Exco and government, undeserving of it..

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Education and Youth | Hady Nufyet's blog | 10 comments | read more

Vance's TIPS TO YOUNG POLITICIANS

by Terry J. Peterson

Letter from Vance James Jr.
February 20, 2007

Dear Terry,

Thanks for the invitation extended to stand with you at your political launching and public introduction. It would have been a great opportunity to show my commitment to the youth and the future of our nation. But, unfortunately I will be away in California USA where I will be attending the Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development Educational Conference and won't be home until March 21. Congratulations on the major step you have taken. It is heartening when young people take what is not an easy step. I can offer advise to you and am pleased to do so. In response to your questions I attached some tips. I wish you every success and if you so desire, would be happy to preview your speech and give comments.
Every success. Honored to have been asked.

Sincerely,
Vance James

TIPS FOR YOUNG POLITICIANS: YOU HAVE DECIDED FOR PUBLIC SERVICE!
Click here & scroll down to Read TIPS FOR YOUNG POLITICIANS by Vance James
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Education and Youth | Island Politics | rebelwithoutapause's blog | 10 comments | read more

Tourism, Education and Economic Justice

By Terry J. Peterson

"Anyone who votes against this budget, would be voting against the future of SXM"
-Roy Marlin, 2008 Draft Budget, Island Council Meeting, Dec 2007.

"The Island Council missed a golden opportunity"
-Sarah Wescott Williams, 2008 Draft Budget, Island Council Meeting, Dec 2007

The 2008 draft budget approved by the present administration is another bikini budget in which the more significant parts are concealed and the less significant parts are revealed. It is unfortunate that the current government would justify allocations to Tourism by suggesting that it is the future of Country St. Martin. It is alarming to think that school children, policy makers and many others may believe this hollow proposition. It would seem that this is the reason why our government finds it necessary to use tax payers’ money to train young St. Martiners to become dishwashers, bellboys and housekeepers in brand name hotels. What golden opportunity? The future of St. Martin is not tourism. The future of St. Martin is education! We need to build an educational system so that we could transact in knowledge production and knowledge export.
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Education and Youth | Environment | Heritage and Culture | Island Politics | Tourism | rebelwithoutapause's blog | 33 comments | read more