September 16, 2026 No comments
USM Confirms CFY Academic Track Will Begin October 1 – Final Call for Applications
SINT MAARTEN (POND ISLAND) - The University of St. Martin (USM) is pleased to confirm that the Caribbean Foundation Year (CFY) Academic Track will move forward for the 2026–2027 academic year, with classes officially beginning on October 1, 2026, at the USM campus in St. Maarten. Following the completion and evaluation of the program’s 2025–2026 pilot year, USM has been working with its partners to prepare for the next intake and strengthen the delivery of the Academic Track. With the program now confirmed, USM is making a final call to eligible young people who are still considering their next step after secondary school. The CFY Academic Track is a college-level foundation program designed to help young people make a stronger transition from...
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September 15, 2026 No comments
Educators Strengthen Innovative Teaching Practices Through STEM to STEAM Professional Development
SINT MAARTEN (GREAT BAY) - The Division of Educational Innovation of the Ministry of Education, Culture, Youth and Sport hosted a three-day STEM to STEAM Teacher Training Workshop, aimed at strengthening innovative, interdisciplinary, and student-centered teaching practices within Sint Maarten’s schools. Participants included educators from public and government-subsidized Preparatory Secondary Vocational Education (PSVE) schools. The professional development workshop, facilitated by Dr. Delroy Pierre, focused on supporting educators to transition from STEM, Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics to STEAM, which incorporates the Arts as an integral component of creativity, design, communication and problem-solving. Throughout the three-day training, participating educators explored how STEAM can move beyond the traditional teaching of subjects in isolation by connecting different disciplines around authentic problems, inquiry, and project-based learning. The...
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September 15, 2026 No comments
Minister Plenipotentiary Arrindell attends Troonrede. Kingdom-wide Closer Cooperation to Frame Caribbean Policy
THE NETHERLANDS (THE HAGUE) – Minister Plenipotentiary of Sint Maarten, Drs. Gracita R. Arrindell, on Tuesday, 15 September 2026, attended the Troonrede delivered by His Royal Highness King Willem-Alexander at the opening of the parliamentary year of the Second Chamber of Parliament. “I am very pleased to hear of the close cooperation established within the Kingdom between the Netherlands, Curacao, Sint Maarten and Aruba (CAS). The stated policy objectives include more effective cooperation between governments; stronger public administration; sustainable public finances; improved rule-of-law capacity; cooperation on security and crisis management; economic, energy and logistical cooperation; and greater socioeconomic resilience. “For Sint Maarten, it entails continuation of the Country Package reforms through 2029; continued support for public-finance reform and the rule of law;...
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September 15, 2026 No comments
Her Way Takes on Curacao in Biggest Event Yet
SINT MAARTEN/CURACAO – What began as a women’s 3x3 basketball initiative on Sint Maarten took another significant step toward becoming a regional platform this weekend, as Her Way made its first trip to Curacao for its largest event to date. Her Way Takes on Curacao featured 25 teams competing across four age categories – 12U, 15U, 18U and Senior Women – bringing together players from Curacao, Sint Maarten, Anguilla and other participating small islands. The event’s roots can be traced to December 2025, when the Curacao Women’s Basketball Association of Curacao participated in a Her Way tournament on Sint Maarten. The Curacao delegation connected strongly with the concept and subsequently approached Her Way founder Paul Bell about bringing the initiative to Curacao,...
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September 15, 2026 No comments
MP Ottley Discussed & Presents Interim GEBE Measures to Prime Minister
SINT MAARTEN (GREAT BAY) - On Tuesday September 15th, Member of Parliament (MP) Omar Ottley and the Prime Minister Dr. Luc Mercelina met to discuss his proposed interim solution for regulating GEBE pricing to consumers, MP Ottley said in a press statement on Tuesday. The MP expressed his appreciation for the Prime Minister’s willingness to cross party lines and find an amicable solution. “GEBE will take care of GEBE, but the Government has to take care of the people,” stated MP Ottley. During the meeting, MP Ottley reiterated that time is of the essence and if the Government and GEBE maintain that electricity and water tariffs can only be regulated through an LBHAM, the Government should, in the interim, use the tools...
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