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Minister Gumbs Outlines Plan For School Supply Shortages

PHILIPSBURG--A multi-phased plan to address long-standing supply shortages and operational challenges in public schools is now being implemented, ECYS Minister Melissa Gumbs said during the continuation of a meeting of Parliament on Thursday.

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Carnival 55 Officially Opens With High-Energy Jump-Up

Minister Grisha Heyliger-Marten,TEATT, and Minister Melissa Gumbs, ECYS, together with the SCDF President Edwardo Radjouki holding the key that opened the gates to the Festival Read more

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Xoey Fitzpatrick Aventurin Captivates Audience With Talent, Culture, Wins Junior Carnival Crown

2026 Junior Carnival Queen Xanisha Xoey Fitzpatrick Aventurin (second left) flanked by second runner up YSheyda Madramootoo (left), MP Sjamira Roseburg (third left), first runner-up Kayla Fontenelle (fourth left) and Kyrie Fleming, who placed third (right).

MADAME ESTATE--The St. Maarten Junior Carnival Pageant 2026 reached a thrilling climax on Saturday, March 28, asXanisha Xoey Fitzpatrick Aventurin was crowned Junior Carnival Queen, earning 845 points and standing out in a field of talented young contestants at the Aleeze Convention Center.

The packed audience witnessed a showcase of creativity, culture, and youthful excellence, as Xoeys performances left a lasting impression on judges and spectators alike.

The competition concluded with Xoey winning the crown as well as Miss Amity, Miss Popularity, Best Speech, Best Talent and Best Carnival Costume Read more

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Gumbs Will Not Scrap Fbe Exam, Calls For Collective Action To Improve Education

PHILIPSBURG--Minister of Education, Culture, Youth and Sport (ECYS) Melissa Gumbs says the Foundation Based Education (FBE) Exit Exam will not be scrapped as removing the test would not fix deeper challenges within the education system.

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Minister Says Budget Limits Full Funding For Carifta Team, Urges Private Sector Support

Melissa Gumbs

~Planning new sports funding approach~

PHILIPSBURG--Education, Culture, Youth and Sport (ECYS) Minister Melissa Gumbs says government will not be able to provi Read more

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Sr. Marie Laurence Reconstruction To Begin This Month, Complete In 2027

Artist impression of the new Sr. Marie Laurence School (Photo courtesy www.lyongo.com).

~Trini contractor only bid submitted~

MIDDLE REGION--The reconstruction of the Sr. Marie Laurence School in Middle Region is set to begin in the first week of March 2026, Minister of Education, Culture, Youth and Sport (ECYS) Melissa Gumbs s Read more

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Only 11% In Group 5 Master Problem-Solving And 2% At Public Schools, Assessment Shows

Minister of Education, Culture, Youth and Sports (ECYS) Melissa Gumbs.

~0% mastery at 4 schools~

PHILIPSBURG--Findings from the National Assessment Report: Early Literacy and Numeracy for the Group 5 cohort 2024/2025 revealed that a majority of pupils are struggling to achieve proficiency in mathematics problem-solving.

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Minister Presents Medical Education Accreditation Framework To Parliament

American University of Caribbean (AUC) School of Medicine Facilities.

PHILIPSBURG--Minister of Education, Culture, Youth and Sport (ECYS) Melissa Gumbs on Thursday presented the framework for regulating medical education on St Maarten to Parliaments ECYS Committee.

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Ecys Minister Calls For Cultural Shift To Break Silos In Governmen

ECYS Minister Melissa Gumbs

PHILIPSBURG--Education, Culture, Youth and Sport (ECYS) Minister Melissa Gumbs would like to see a cultural shift within government to break down siloe Read more

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Oranje School Celebrates 175 Years With Bell Ringing Ceremony

Education Minister Melissa Gumbs rings the bel

PHILIPSBURG--Oranje School marked its 175th Anniversary on January 21, 2026, with a historic celebration that included a commemorative bell ringing ceremony symbolizing each year of the schools service and educational excellence.

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Annual National Day Of Prayer January 11 At Govt Building

From left: National Day of Prayer 2025, cross section of clergy members with President of Parliament Sarah Wescot-Williams, Governor Ajamu Baly, Prime Minister Dr. Luc Mercelina and ECYS Minister Melissa Gumbs Read more

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Constitution Day On October 13 Marks 15 Years Of Country Status

Government Administration Building adorned in red, white and blue dcor for Constitution Day 2025.

PHILIPSBURG--The Government of St. Maarten will celebrate the 15th anniversary of the countrys constitutional status in the Kingdom of the Netherlands on Monday, October 13, with official Constitution Day activities at Jocelyn Arndell Festival Village starting at 11:30am.

This years theme Fifteen Years of Country Status Honoring Our Past, Shaping Our Future highlights the nations progress since attaining country status on October 10, 2010 Read more

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Demolition Of Old Library Building Clears Way For Bold, New Beginning

Former Library Director Blanca Hodge (right) cuts into a cake in honour of the new library, cheered on by (from left) fellow former Director Glenderlin Davis, Education Minister Melissa Gumbs, NRPB Director Claret Connor and the librarys President of the board Joseanne Peterson.

PHILIPSBURG--The St Read more

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Organised Chaos, Is Minister Gumbs First Impression Of Carifesta Xv

ECYS Minister Melissa Gumbs with Barbados Prime Minister Mia Mottley.

~ Opportunity for artists to grow, evolve ~

BARBADOS--Minister of Education, Culture, Youth and Sport (ECYS) Melissa Gumb Read more

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Gumbs Sends Letter To All School Boards On Hair Discrimination, Says Prepare For Law

ECYS Minister Melissa Gumbs.

PHILIPSBURG--Minister of Education, Culture, Youth and Sport (ECYS) Melissa Gumbs is calling on schools to begin preparing their institution for the Read more

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Minister Gumbs: Students Register Too Late For Housing, Urged To Sign Up Early

PHILIPSBURG--Minister of Education, Culture, Youth and Sport (ECYS) Melissa Gumbs said on Tuesday that she had been informed that many St. Maarten students wait too long to register on housing websites, often only a month or two before leaving for the Netherlands. She urged students to register as early as age 16 to increase their chances Read more

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Diaspora Database Launched, Gumbs Seeks Housing Solutions For Students

Meet & Greet group photo.

THE HAGUE--While acknowledging the ongoing housing crisis in the Netherlands, Minister of Education, Culture, Youth and Sport (ECYS) Melissa Gumbs says her ministry is actively working on solutions for St. Maarten students studying abroad.

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Minister Shares Key Findings From Pwas Investigation Report

~ Commits to action ~

PHILIPSBURG--Minister of Education, Culture, Youth and Sport Melissa Gumbs shared the outcomes of an independent investigation into operational and incident matters at Prins Willem Alexander School (PWAS) with the staff of the school on Wednesday.

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Minister Gumbs: Focus Is On Results, Not Where Companies Come From

~ Former minister neglected projects ~

PHILIPSBURG--Minister of Education, Culture, Youth and Sport (ECYS) Melissa Gumbs has blamed former ministerial neglect for the delays in the rebuilding of schools and the library. She said her main concern is not where companies come from, but that the work is done well and on time.

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Inaugural Dame Ruby Bute Short Story Contest To Be Held

ECYS Minister Melissa Gumbs (left) with Rohith Mahtani of Klass Electronics.

PHILIPSBURG--Minister of Education, Culture, Youth and Sport (ECYS) Melissa Gumbs has announced the pr Read more

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A New Naval Base And Coast Guard Radar On The Horizon For St. Maarten

In casual mode, from left: St. Maarten President of Parliament Sarah Wescot-Williams, Justice Minister Nathalie Tackling, VROMI Minister Patrice Gumbs, and ECYS Minster Melissa Gumbs.

PHILIPSBURG--A new naval base that will take over from the temporary facilities in Point Blanche and installation of a Coast Guard radar for 24/7 monitoring of maritime traffic are part of new developments to bolster safety and security in St Read more

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Education Minister Requests Investigation Into Fight Between School Bus Driver, Student

A screen grab of the altercation between the bus driver and student.

PHILIPSBURG--Minister of Education, Culture Youth and Sport (ECYS) Melissa Gumbs has requested a thorough investigation into an incident involving a school bus driver and a student outside a school bus on Tuesday.

 A video of the incident that was circulating widely on social media on Tuesday captioned bus driver vs student shows the school bus driver holding the student by his top against the school bus and pushing him away from the bus Read more

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Gumbs: Significant Progress Made With Ecys Stakeholder Consultations

ECYS Minister Melissa Gumbs. File photo.

PHILIPSBURG--Minister of Education, Culture, Youth and Sport (ECYS) Melissa Gumbs on Wednesday provided an update of the state of affairs Read more

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Government, Unicef Jointly Launch Positive Parenting Support Program

Prime Minister Dr. Luc Mercelina (above, back row, third right), Minister of Education, Culture, Youth & Sports Melissa Gumbs (above, centre right), Member of Parliament Sarah Wescot-Williams (above, back row, centre right), several government officials and civil servants, programme stakeholders, community leaders and parenting advocates came together on Friday in support of the Positive Parenting Support Program Read more

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