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Island Council Adopts Social Minimum, Salary Minimum Motions

SABA Two motions were presented to the Island Council by Island Council Members Elsa Peterson and Vito Charles, both of the WIPM party, one motion addressing the continued urgency to establish the social minimum and a second motion on the minimum salaries of the Public Entity Saba with a cost-of-living adjustment.

Peterson and Charles submitted their motions during a meeting of the Island Council to handle the 2022 Year Report and the first 2023 budget amendment. Petersons motion instructed the Executive Council to take a number of actions Read more

Dutch Parliament Visits Saba

SABA — A delegation of 10 members of the First and Second Chamber of the Dutch Parliament visited Saba on Monday, May 2. Besides the formal part meeting with the Executive Council and Island Council, the program included a presentation session on topics such as poverty, public health, tourism and economic development, as well as a meet and greet and various site visits.

The delegation arrived with a Winair charter from St. Maarten in the morning and was welcomed by Island Governor Jonathan Johnson, Island Secretary Tim Muller and Government Advisor/Second Acting Island Secretary Gerald Simmons-de Jong.
Members of the management team of the Saba Electric Company (SEC) Dexter Johnson, Mark Zagers and David Leonce met with the delegation right after arrival to give information on the investments in renewable energy, the Saba Energy Strategy 2020-2030 and the ambition of 100 percent sustainable energy, and the challenges such as the steep increase in the cost of importing fuel for the generators.

Continuous challenges
At the Eugenius Johnson Center, a meeting took place with the Executive Council where Commissioners Bruce Zagers and Rolando Wilson spoke about the continuous challenges that Saba faces with, for example, the problematic referral of patients abroad, the high cost of living and doing business, governments difficult financial position and the lacking connectivity Read more

Members Of Second Chamber Updated On Saba Issues

SABA Commissioner Bruce Zagers and Island Secretary Tim Muller recently met with several Members of the Second Chamber of the Dutch Parliament during their visit to The Hague.

Among the Members that Zagers and Muller met with was Chairperson of the Second Chambers Permanent Committee for Kingdom Relations Marille Paul. The meeting was of an introductory nature since Paul, who is a member of the liberal democratic VVD party, took up her new position as Committee Chairperson some three weeks ago.

The other two Members of Parliament (MPs) with whom the Saba delegation met were Joba van den Berg of the Christian Democratic Party CDA and Jorien Wuite of the Democratic Party D66 Read more

2Nd Day Inter Expo Congress

THE NETHERLANDS — On Thursday, December 9, 2021, the Ten Years after the dissolution of the Netherlands Antilles Congress and Trade Mission, continued at the Nieuwspoort in The Hague.

On Thursday the Congress opened with a presentation by Ms. Gerlien Croes, Member of the Parliament of Aruba, who discussed the strengthening of our Kingdom relations based on European values and standards. She mentioned that we are small islands with big challenges and explained that change requires support and that the EU offers an alternative, known as the next EU generation.

During her presentation it was questioned why we do not make use of the possibilities that are already offered based on our OCT status and look at a new status which does not have to be a UPG status, but a yet to be determined OCT plus.MP Gerlien Croes made it clear that the way forward was not with reforms by means of liquidity support Read more

Saba Delegation Presents Issues Of Importance To Dutch Parliament

THE HAGUE/SABA Commissioner Bruce Zagers and Island Secretary Tim Muller during their visit to the Netherlands met with Members of the First and Second Chamber of the Dutch Parliament. Issues of importance to Saba including the free allowance, poverty, connectivity, banking and infrastructure were discussed.

Even though the meetings at the various ministries were the focal point of the visit, Zagers and Muller found it important to meet with the First and Second Chamber on Tuesday, July 6 Read more

Cabinet Of The Minister Plenipotentiary Of Sint Maarten Hosts Virtual Election Debate

THE NETHERLANDS — On Friday March 12th, 2021, the Cabinet of the Minister Plenipotentiary in the Hague hosted an Election debate with Candidates of six political parties. The parties which were represented in this debate were BIJ1, represented by Ms. Lysanne Charles, UBUNTU (UCF), represented by Mr. Carlos Lopes, DENK, represented by Ms. Isaura Carillho, D66, represented by Drs. Jorien Wuite, Christen Unie, represented by Mr Read more

Cabinet Of The Minister Plenipotentiary Of Sint Maarten Hosts Virtual Election Debate

THE NETHERLANDS — On Friday March 12th, 2021, the Cabinet of the Minister Plenipotentiary in the Hague hosted an Election debate with Candidates of six political parties. The parties which were represented in this debate were BIJ1, represented by Ms. Lysanne Charles, UBUNTU (UCF), represented by Mr. Carlos Lopes, DENK, represented by Ms. Isaura Carillho, D66, represented by Drs. Jorien Wuite, Christen Unie, represented by Mr Read more

Cabinet Of The Minister Plenipotentiary Of Sint Maarten Hosts Virtual Election Debate

THE NETHERLANDS — On Friday March 12th, 2021, the Cabinet of the Minister Plenipotentiary in the Hague hosted an Election debate with Candidates of six political parties. The parties which were represented in this debate were BIJ1, represented by Ms. Lysanne Charles, UBUNTU (UCF), represented by Mr. Carlos Lopes, DENK, represented by Ms. Isaura Carillho, D66, represented by Drs. Jorien Wuite, Christen Unie, represented by Mr Read more

United Democratic Party Supports WuiteS Candidacy On Slate Of D66.

Philipsburg, St. Maarten, The United Democratic Party (UDP) is thrilled by the confirmation of its member and former Minister contesting the Dutch election in March 2021 on the slate of D66. While Jorien had to resign from the UDP, we support her all the way with this courageous endeavor.

Jorien Wuite in our opinion will be an asset to the D66 Read more

Unesco Donates $50,000 To Public Schools

PHILIPSBURG –  UNESCO has approved $50,000 for the purchasing of learning materials for Public Education that were damaged by Hurricane Irma and Hurricane Maria.

The learning materials that are being referred to are: textbooks, workbooks, and physical education materials. The learning materials are from the different subject areas from the national curriculum such as: English and Dutch language arts, science, and physical education.

The reasons why the texts books are needed was that the damaged books and materials were in used for over a 12-year period Read more

Clara Reyes Newly Appointed Head Of Culture

PHILIPSBURG – Minister of Education, Culture, Youth & Sport Jorien Wuite announces the appointment of Clara Reyes as new Head of the Department of Culture.  Clara fills the vacancy left by the sudden passing of former department head, St. Maarten icon, Neville York in May 2017.

Clara Reyes has a distinguished background in the Arts.  She holds a Master of Fine Arts degree in Dance and Choreography with specialization in dance education ages K through 12 grades Read more

Minister Wuite Signs Off On Repairs For Melford Hazel Sports Center And Basketball Courts

PHILIPSBURG, Sint Maarten — In line with the vision of recovery, Minister of Education, Culture, Youth and Sport Jorien Wuite informs that repairs to the Melford Hazel Sports Center along with several basketball courts in various districts on the island have been signed off on to be executed within the coming weeks. The National Sports Institute (NSI) will be the executing agency to oversee the repairs with funds made available through the approval of a subsidy by the Government of St Read more

Cba And Oranje School Can Re-Open Friday 

GREAT BAY, Sint Maarten (DCOMM) – Prime Minister Leona Romeo Marlin in an update regarding the Pond Island landfill fires on Thursday said based on assessments and discussions with the Minister of Education Jorien Wuite, the two remaining schools that were closed on Thursday can re-open onFriday.

The two schools are the Charlotte Brookson Academy (CBA) and the Oranje Primary School Read more

Minister Wuite Has Demanded That A Full Report Be Presented By Noon Today

PHILIPSBURG, Sint Maarten — Minister Jorien Wuite, after speaking to close family members of Nathan York, is extremely pleased to confirm that the student has been found and is presently with his parents at the St. Maarten Medical Center.

Nathan, a student of the Martin Luther King Jr. School (MLK), was reported missing after last being seen leaving the school campus on Tuesday afternoon Read more

Two Schools To Remain Closed. Daycare Centers In Lower Philipsburg Should Remain Closed  

GREAT BAY, Sint Maarten (DCOMM) – Prime Minister Leona Romeo Marlin in an update on Wednesday evening says in follow-up assessments on Wednesday, the Charlotte Brookson Academy and the Oranje Primary School will remain closed on Thursday, February 8 due to the persistent smoke from the landfill fire on Pond Island which has been impacting the lower parts of Philipsburg.

The Minister of Education Jorien Wuite has advised that daycare centers located in the lower part of Philipsburg should also remain closed on Thursday.

Additional information will be forthcoming within short with respect the status of the Government Administration Building.

The post Two schools to remain closed Read more

Minister Wuite Hands Out Certificates To Students

PHILIPSBURG, Sint Maarten — On Thursday, January 18th more than one hundred students from nine participating primary schools and afternoon care organizations received certificates of appreciation from Minister of Education, Culture, Youth and Sport Jorien Wuite at a small ceremony held in the courtyard of the Government Administration Building Read more

Minister Wuite Expresses Condolence On The Passing Of Student

Hon. Ms Jorien Wuite, Minister of Education, Culture, Youth and Sport,

PHILIPSBURG – On behalf of the Public Schools and the Ministry, Minister Jorien Wuite expresses her sincere condolence to the family, friends and teachers of Kenrick Richardson on his passing.

Kenrick, a student of the St Read more

Wuite Attends Second Mrp Stakeholder Consultation Meeting

PHILIPSBURG – On Monday, January 15th, almost immediately after new Minister of Education, Culture, Youth and Sport Jorien Wuite was sworn in, the Minister and members of her cabinet attended a stakeholder consultation session at the University of St. Martin regarding the Ministry’s Resilience Plan (MRP).  The plan, formulated in Read more

Jorien Wuite New Minister Of Education, Culture, Youth And Sport

PHILIPSBURG — On Monday, January 15th, 2018, His Excellency the Governor, drs. Eugene B. Holiday, administered the oath of office to Ms. Jorien Wuite as Minister of Education, Culture, Youth & Sport (ECYS).

Wuite, a senior civil servant and former Secretary General of the Ministry of ECYS, is the daughter of two educators and granddaughter of well-known butcher and farmer “Alec the Butcher” from Middle Region Read more

Minister Silveria Jacobs Addresses Gathering At National Day Of Prayer 

PHILIPSBURG, Sint Maarten — The theme of this National Day of Prayer “Repentance will result in the Glory of God in the Land” and I daresay St. Maarten is so fitting for the time we are in. This morning in service I was blessed by this word by the boys and l again to recognize the power of God and the  power of prayer, the power of a praying people. A praying people are a people of faith, a people of Love for God, who is Love and his mercy endures forever!!!! He doesn’t take us through it without a purpose – each diamond must go through much stress in order to shine – and God has allowed us to go through the experiences of 2017 for a reason, and I pray that we take stock of ourselves – each and everyone one of us, to reflect, repent, ask for forgiveness and turn away from any thoughts and acts that are not acceptable to him – let all we do glorify him here on St Read more

Minister Jacobs Presents Proposal To Usm To Provide Financial Injection To Prevent Closure

~ Minister Jacobs; Awaits decision of the Board ~

PHILIPSBURG — On Tuesday November 28th, the Council of Ministers (CoM) gave the go ahead to the Minister of Education, Culture, Youth and Sport, to meet with the University of St. Martin Foundation (USMF) to propose a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to grant incidental subsidy (amounting to NAF. 690K- 920K over three/four months) in the interest of preventing the closure of the USM as well as preparing for the continuity of the institution in a transparent, accountable, efficient and effective manner Read more

The Ministry Of Education, Culture, Youth And Sport Holds A Consultation Meeting.

~ Meeting was for the Mid-term Resilience Plan with critical stakeholders as part of the National Recovery Plan 2017-2019 ~

PHILIPSBURG — On October 23rd, 2017, the Ministry of Education, Culture, Youth and Sport (ECYS) held a consultation meeting for the Midterm Resilience Plan. The aim of the meeting was to contribute to the National Recovery Plan (NRP) of St. Maarten in the area of education, culture, youth and sport. Participating stakeholders included schoolboards, UNICEF, sporting organizations, culture and heritage foundations, day care centers, youth organizations and representatives from the Ministry ECYS and other Ministries Read more

Ministry Ecys And Witu Meeting Held

Philipsburg — Minister of Education, Culture, Youth and Sport, Ms. Silveria Jacobs held a meeting with representatives of Windward Island Teachers Union (WITU) on Monday, August 28th 2017. WITU’s board was represented with a delegation of 5 members; the President of the WITU Mrs. Claire Elshot-Aventurin, the Vice President,  Mrs. Corinne Lejuez-vanPutten Putten, General Secretary Ms Read more

Minister Jacobs Travels To Cuba

HAVANA, Cuba – Minister of Education, Culture, Youth and Sport Silveria Jacobs along with the St. Maarten delegation comprised of the Secretary General of ECYS Jorien Wuite, Policy Advisor Fabiana Vanterpool-Arnell, and Head of the Department of Education Ruth Linger, travelled to Cuba on Sunday, March 26, to attend the Kingdom Higher Education mission.

The Minister will be met by the Ministers of Education from the Netherlands, Aruba and Curaçao Read more