Unbiased look at the Sint Maarten Elections
That University of St. Martin (USM) could use more support is obvious after Wednesday's meeting with Parliament's Permanent Committee on Education and Youth. With a reported average annual loss of US $159,000 over the past five years the institution of higher learning's financial situation is clearly unsustainable.
Government reportedly already covers 35 per cent of the expenditures with study financing and subsidy. As the latter already went up from NAf. 500,000 to NAf. 850,000 in 2014, the big question now is how the remaining deficit realistically can be eliminated.
Education Minister Rita-Bourne Gumbs said the subsidy amount can be increased again next year providing certain conditions, including the accreditation of some programmes, are met. That is indeed very important and it was good to read in the same Thursday paper that a delegation from the United Kingdom (UK) is expected next month for this purpose.
At the same time the Gumbs-cabinet is to do its part by updating the recognition of USM, which the minister now has promised to take care of. This should allow for a better linking up with other colleges.
The suggestion for an "education surcharge" at the airport or the harbour sounds sympathetic enough, but the destination must take great care whenever increasing the cost to visitors, because that's who, after all, provide the livelihood for practically everyone on both sides of the island. What's more, Finance Minister Martin Hassink is also counting on Government-owned companies to help fill the remaining 15-million-guilder gap on his 2015 budget.
USM is trying to raise funds of its own, of course, with initiatives such as a recent sponsorship request letter for the upcoming commencement ceremony. Donations are always welcome, but a structural solution nevertheless is needed.
And it's not just a matter of money. The number of students has dropped from 254 to 196 since 2009 and that is far from good news.
One of the reasons mentioned was that many couldn't afford the tuition. A hike in the applicable fees thus probably is not a very useful option.
It must be said, along with recognition and accreditation, quality or at least the perception thereof also plays a role. If, for example, graduates of the Teacher Education Programme (TEP) write job application letters with several grammatical and/or spelling mistakes, that does not exactly inspire confidence in their degrees.
