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Dutch Government wants to impose instruction on St. Maarten when it comes to establishing an Integrity Chamber --- Kingdom Council of State now has to decide.

style="text-align: center;">Ten MPs voted in favor of draft law to establish Integrity Chamber --- DP Faction Leader spearheaded the drafting and finalizing of law

PHILIPSBURG:--- St. Maarten has to brace itself for a possible instruction in order to establish an integrity chamber on St. Maarten. Minister of Justice Dennis Richardson submitted the document to the Parliament of St. Maarten on Monday where the Dutch Government want Kingdom Council of State to grant them permission to impose a Kingdom measure on St Read more

MP Leona Marlin-Romeo request a meeting about moving forward on Small Claims Court for the Country.

>PHILIPSBURG (PARLIAMENT/Independent Faction):---  Independent Member of Parliament (MP) Leona Marlin-Romeo is requesting a meeting to discuss a proposal prepared by attorney Reynold Groeneveldt to introduce a Small Claims Court for Sint Maarten according to article 862 of the Code of Civil Procedures.

The MP is supporting this initiative as it allows claims up to ANG Read more

Liberty of the Seas cancels port visit due to medical emergency and returns to Bermuda

>PORT ST. MAARTEN:--- On Monday the cruise ship Liberty of the Seas canceled its port call due to a medical emergency. The vessel had to divert back to Bermuda where the person disembarked.

The newly renovated Liberty of the Seas is packed with all the phenomenal onboard experiences you’d expect from the innovative class type of vessel besides new offerings that would add to the cruising experience.

The vessel belongs to Royal Caribbean International and is part of the Freedom Class which also includes Freedom of the Seas and Independence of the Seas.

Liberty of the Seas carries over 3600 passengers’ double occupancy, and 1360 crew Read more

Mp Leona Marlin-Romeo Request A Meeting About Moving Forward On Small Claims Court For The Country

PHILIPSBURG, St. Maarten– Independent Member of Parliament (MP) Leona Marlin-Romeo is requesting a meeting to discuss a proposal prepared by attorney Reynold Groeneveldt to introduce a Small Claims Court for Sint Maarten according to article 862 of the Code of Civil Procedures.

The MP is supporting this initiative as it allows claims up to ANG Read more

Mp Jacobs Expresses Concern But Welcomes New Opportunities Of New School Year

PHILIPSBURG, St. Maarten - Former Minister of Education the Honorable MP Silveria Jacobs wished all a successful start to the new school year noting that the new school year means new opportunities for all.

She is however concerned about some of the noted deficiencies in the education system.

Among them the situation with Read more

Schools Reopen On Monday, Education Minister Visits Mpc

PHILIPSBURG, St. Maarten - Schools across the island of St. Maarten reopened their doors on Monday.

Although with the usual opening pains the overall opening of the new school year went well.

Drs. Joseph Rogers the Executive Director of the Foundation for Secondary Education of the Windward Islands is very satisfied with the manner in which the school opening went for Public Education.

On hand at the MPC Monday for the opening of the new school year was the Minister of Education the Honorable Rita Bourn-Gumbs and the Minister of Economic Affairs the Honorable Claret Connor Read more

Renovated basketball court the pride of Sandy Ground

MARIGOT--The Sandy Ground basketball court inauguration by President Aline Hanson on Saturday as a highlight of the Sandy Ground Fête celebration has marked a new beginning for the aspirations of the district’s young people.

The 430,000 euro basketball court can double as a volleyball court and soccer pitch while a half court at the rear is for children Read more

Frank Mingo passes away in Colombia, flags at half-mast

PHILIPSBURG--Former Minister of Finance of the Netherlands Antilles Frank Mingo passed away at a hospital in Medellin, Colombia, at 11:50pm on Friday, August 14. He was 68.

Prime Minister Marcel Gumbs, Minister of Tourism, Economic Affairs, Transport and Telecommunications Claret Connor and the Port expressed condolences to the Mingo family on his passing.

Connor also extended condolences to Princess Juliana International Airport SXM Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Regina Labega on the passing of her mother Lillian Mildred Labega-Rohan, also on Friday.

Mingo was a well-known businessman in St Read more

Schools reopen today for new academic year

~Alliance, OSPP encourage students~

PHILIPSBURG--Thousands of students, teachers and school staffers will be returning to school today, Monday, for the start of the new 2015-2016 academic year.

The roads are expected to be busy. In a back-to-school message National Alliance (NA) Deputy Leader Silveria Jacobs urged students to make school their priority and to do their utmost to learn something new daily as well as build character and practice respect Read more

US civil rights leader Julian Bond dies at 75

WASHINGTON--U.S. civil rights leader and former head of the NAACP Julian Bond, who emerged as one of the pre-eminent student activists in America's turbulent 1960s, died on Saturday aged 75.

Bond died in Fort Walton Beach, Florida, the Southern Poverty Law Center said in a statement, without giving the cause of death. Bond was the civil rights organization's first president.

"The country has lost one of its most passionate and eloquent voices for the cause of justice," said Morris Dees, the founder of the Southern Poverty Law Center.

Bond was president of the SPLC from 1971 to 1979 Read more

>PHILIPSBURG:----  Prime Minister Marcel Gumbs expresses his deepest sympathy to the Mingo family with respect to the passing of former Minister of Finance of the Netherlands Antilles Frank Mingo from 1998-1999.
Frank Mingo also served as Senator in the former Parliament of the Netherlands Antilles representing Sint Maarten from 1999 to 2002.
Mingo passed away on Friday night.
“It was indeed sad to learn about the passing of Frank Mingo Read more

>PHILIPSBURG:--- The National Alliance family extends best wishes for success to all students returning to school on Monday August 17 as well as to all those returning to school abroad to further their respective studies.
It is a great opportunity to be able to go to school, to make it your priority in life to learn something new daily as well as build character and practice respect. We urge all students to make good use of the opportunity for education, to ask pertinent questions, complete assignments on time, read as much as possible, do research, and prepare well for all tests.
Your success will be yours individually, your parents', your teachers', your schools' and St Read more

>PHILIPSBURG:---The 2015-2016 school year is just about to begin with our students reporting to classes today. After one month of vacation our students are all revered up to acquire some more knowledge as the saying goes only the prepared will inherit the future.
Recently, I had a conversation with a teacher and he stated that on an annual basis many students are not promoted; in some cases they don’t pass their final exams and often times they drop out of school after having repeated the same class more than once Read more

>PHILIPSBURG:----  Minister of Tourism, Economic Affairs, Transport & Telecommunications Hon. Claret Connor, on Saturday, August 15, 2015, had the honor to speak at the graduation ceremony for the first cohort of the Pre-University of St. Martin (USM) Program.
Some 20 students received their certificates for successfully completing the GED program as well as a few prerequisites making each student eligible to enroll in a USM degree program of their choice.
Minister Connor on Sunday stated that what made the evening more remarkable, especially in light of the recent tragedy that struck the community a few days ago, is the fact that these promising individuals all carried their own unique recount about why this second chance was essential for them personally.
“Some of the presenters shared about students being promoted to advance grades because of their ability to learn quicker; while for others their aspirations were curtailed because of life or personal circumstances Read more

>PHILIPSBURG:---  St. Maarten businessman and former Minister of Finance of the Netherlands Antilles, Mr. Frank Mingo passed away 11:00 pm Friday night at the Pablo Tubon hospital, Colombia, at the age of 68.
He was being treated at the hospital overseas for several weeks after taking ill on St. Maarten.
His children Brian Mingo, Chief Commercial Officer (CCO) of TelEm Group and Mark Mingo, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Harbour Group of Companies and Notary Marlene Mingo, have all expressed extreme sadness at the passing of their father Read more

>PHILIPSBURG: --- Minister of Tourism, Economic Affairs, Transport & Telecommunications Hon. Claret Connor, expresses his deepest sympathy on behalf of his ministry and himself to the families of Mingo and Labega on the passing of their family member.
Former Minister of Finance of the Netherlands Antilles Frank Mingo passed away on Friday Read more

Democratic Party Back To School Message

PHILIPSBURG, St. Maarten - The Democratic Party takes this opportunity to extend best wishes to all students at the start of the school year 2015-2016.

We encourage students to start the year vigorously and remain focused throughout. Don't dwell on what was or could have been last year, but rather give this year your very best. Education should always remain your number one priority.

Parents, your child's success depends for a great part on the role you play in their lives, at home and at school Read more

Minister Of Tourism Connor Speaks At Usm Pre-University Program

PHILIPSBURG, St. Maarten – Minister of Tourism, Economic Affairs, Transport & Telecommunications Hon. Claret Connor, on Saturday, August 15, 2015, had the honor to speak at the graduation ceremony for the first cohort of the Pre-University of St. Martin (USM) Program.

Some 20 students received their certificates for successfully completing the GED program as well as a few prerequisites making each student eligible to enroll in a USM degree program of their choice.  

Minister Connor on Sunday stated that what made the evening more remarkable, especially in light of the recent tragedy that struck the community a few days ago, is the fact that these promising individuals all carried their own unique recount about why this second chance was essential for them personally.

“Some of the presenters shared about students being promoted to advance grades because of their ability to learn quicker; while for others their aspirations were curtailed because of life or personal circumstances Read more

Practice Makes Perfect, My Message To Our Students, Tomorrows Leaders

PHILIPSBURG, St. Maarten – The 2015-2016 school year is just about to begin with our students reporting to classes today.

After one month of vacation our students are all revered up to acquire some more knowledge as the saying goes only the prepared will inherit the future.

         Recently, I had a conversation with a teacher and he stated that on an annual basis many students are not promoted; in some cases they don’t pass their final exams and often times they drop out of school after having repeated the same class more than once Read more

Minister Of Tourism Connor Expresses Condolences To The Mingo And Labega Families

PHILIPSBURG, St. Maarten - Minister of Tourism, Economic Affairs, Transport & Telecommunications Hon. Claret Connor, expresses his deepest sympathy on behalf of his ministry and himself to the families of Mingo and Labega on the passing of their family member.

Former Minister of Finance of the Netherlands Antilles Frank Mingo passed away on Friday.  He leaves to mourn his sons Chief Executive Officer of Port St Read more

Na Back To School Message Of Hope

PHILIPSBURG, St. Maarten - The National Alliance family extends best wishes for success to all students returning to school on Monday August 17 as well as to all those returning to school abroad to further their respective studies.

It is a great opportunity to be able to go to school, to make it your priority in life to learn something new daily as well as build character and practice respect. 

We urge all students to make good use of the opportunity for education, to ask pertinent questions, complete assignments on time, read as much as possible, do research, and prepare well for all tests.

Your success will be yours individually, your parents',  your teachers', your schools' and St Read more

Prime Minister Gumbs Expresses Condolences To The Mingo Family

PHILIPSBURG, St. Maarten – Prime Minister Marcel Gumbs expresses his deepest sympathy to the Mingo family with respect to the passing of former Minister of Finance of the Netherlands Antilles Frank Mingo from 1998-1999.

Frank Mingo also served as Senator in the former Parliament of the Netherlands Antilles representing Sint Maarten from 1999 to 2002.

Mingo passed away on Friday night.

“It was indeed sad to learn about the passing of Frank Mingo.  I worked with him when I was State Secretary of Justice, General and Interior Affairs from 1998 to 2002.

“On behalf of the Council of Ministers, I extend our condolences to the immediate family and friends of Frank Mingo during their time of bereavement,” Prime Minister Marcel Gumbs said on Sunday Read more

>PORT ST. MAARTEN:--- The Supervisory Board of Directors, Management Team and Staff of Port St. Maarten, expresses their deepest condolences to the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Mark Mingo and the Mingo family on the passing of his father Mr. Frank Mingo.

Frank Mingo (68) passed away at 11.50pm on Friday night, August 14, 2015 at a hospital in Medellin, Colombia.

Mingo was a former Minister of Finance of the Netherlands Antilles from 1999 to late 2000 Read more

To teach or to direct, that is the question Part 1

St. Maarten teachers and school principals reflecting on their jobs

By Rik Haverman

Without a doubt, the majority of people will recognize the importance of education for the St. Maarten society, but who exactly are these people providing the education? What drives them to teach the youth and what are the problems they experience in this branch? These types of questions will be answered at an organizational and operational level, by two St. Maarten teachers and two school principals.

Laticia Brown

To start off, let's introduce Laticia Brown: Just 26 years young and she already teaches two different courses – math and Dutch – at two different schools Read more