~Several initiatives planned~
PHILIPSBURG--Education Minister Dr. Rhoda Arrindell says the education system "is not as healthy as it should be."
She made the remark during her state of education address on Wednesday. "I believe we need to ask ourselves the following questions: is our educational system delivering the goods? Does it respond to the needs of a 21st century St. Maarten? In all honesty, I am of the view that we cannot yet answer either question in the affirmative. The state of our education is not as healthy as it should be."
She said the system faces "numerous challenges" which "we cannot shy away from. "However, we must restore common sense to education and accept the fact that the focal point of everything we do must be the student."
During her lengthy presentation, the minister outlined several initiatives that will be introduced as well as uncorked some of the plans of her ministry (see related stories).
Simplifying system
She said the Education Ministry is working towards simplifying the education system. This will enable children to receive a well-rounded, quality education, sit one school-leaving examination at the end of primary school that would allow them to be admitted into secondary school, and have basically one model of secondary education which will offer a curriculum that is relevant and flexible enough for the students to pursue higher education or enter the job market with a set of useful skills.
At one point in her presentation she said, "we operate a rather complex system, which tends to stream our children at too early an age, and which offers a potpourri of letters that is difficult to understand, especially at the secondary level: HAVO, VWO, SBO, and all the remaining "Os" and the "TKL," "PKL" and all the other "L's."
"Our mission as educators is to prepare our students for success in the very competitive world they will have to work in. That is why our Mission Statement in the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports and Youth Affairs, is "to deliver service to the population of St. Maarten in all areas under our jurisdiction by providing and ensuring the implementation of effective and efficient systems which promote and secure equal opportunities and access to quality education, recreation, social, cultural and physical development for all the people of St. Maarten," she said.
"Quality here is synonymous to excellence. And what is excellence if it is not positive concentration and good focus at all times on your work. This requires good work ethics. For students, this means doing your homework and turning it in on time; not putting off what you have to do today for tomorrow, asking pertinent questions when you do not understand something, completing assignments and other tasks promptly and above all, listening to your teacher. It is this positive attitude that builds your confidence and your character as well. We need to emphasize achieving excellence because in the St. Maarten we are building together there can be no room for mediocrity."
Educational laws
Arrindell said the process of reviewing educational laws to bring them in sync with present day realities is under review.
"This is a time-consuming process that will overlap several school years, but it is important to stress that a new National Education Plan is already in the making. When completed, it will be put before the people for discussion, while efforts are being intensified to rewrite curricula at the various levels so that our children would be able to know, for example, about the founding fathers of modern day [St. Maarten] such as Dr. Claude Wathey, Clem Labega, Lionel Bernard Scot, (or L.B. Scot), Milton Peters, Jose Lake Sr., Wallace Peterson and others.
"If you ask a sixth grader today who these pioneers are, don't be surprised if all they do is scratch their heads and look into empty space. But we cannot blame them if our curriculum does not teach them about the contributions these men and women made to transform [St. Maarten] into what it is today.
"It is also an irony that, for example, works by [St. Maarten] poets and authors such as Lasana Sekou and Drisana Deborah Jack are being studied and taught at universities abroad, while our own students are not required to read them in our schools. We will ensure that there is a compulsory reading list of books by [St. Maarteners] and about [St. Maarten], which our students will be tested on in national exams.
Curriculum
She also spoke about the development of a new curriculum which she stressed is, "without doubt, critical to our efforts at nation-building."
"This new curriculum will include subjects such as music, drama, fine arts, and sports and would most likely require that we expand our current school hours.
"We are already in advanced discussions with the Ujimaa Foundation about collaborating in an experimental charter school, which will incorporate many of these ideas before they become the norm in the rest of our school system," she said.
Student Support Services
The minister said the Education Ministry has had to take on additional responsibilities in areas such as Inspection, Examinations and Student Support Services, which were not responsibilities of St. Maarten prior to October 10, 2010.
Inspections, Examinations and Student Support divisions are up and running and the Student Support Services will be operational this school year.
"To succeed as a Ministry of Education, we do not only have to provide leadership and a clear and unambiguous vision of where we want to take education, but most importantly, we have to nurture a close and dynamic relationship with the whole community so that educators can dedicate their precious time to the core business of schools, which is learning," she said.
"For me, these are not just fancy words. It is an axiomatic principle which guides my decisions. I see the role of government in education not only as a regulatory and monitoring agency, but also as one of setting standards that meet international norms, providing much needed assistance to the educational community where needed, leveraging best practices and keeping track of results in such a manner that would facilitate constant and continuous improvements at all levels."
Arrindell said moulding the mind of that student should be the beginning and the end of all our endeavours as educators.
"I have an unflinching faith in the student. I am also inspired by the incredible passion I observe in the face of most teachers and by the dedication and determination many school managers exhibit in running their respective schools.
"I salute all educators who go the extra mile to help children whose circumstances and backgrounds are incredibly challenging to reach for higher heights. And I am comforted by the commitment of those parents who take the education of their children seriously enough to make the time to get involved in it in a meaningful way," she said.
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