PHILIPSBURG--There has been no overcrowding at schools since the phased introduction of compulsory education in St. Maarten in August 2009. However, Education Minister Patricia Lourens cautions that enforcement of the immigration laws is needed to prevent the situation from becoming "unmanageable" and "cost-prohibitive" for government.

 

Lourens told Members of Parliament (MPs) during Thursday's meeting of the Central Committee of Parliament that while the introduction of compulsory education had been a challenge, new schools had been built and existing schools expanded to accommodate any possible increase in enrolment.

 

She said the last information received on schools two years ago was that the teacher-to-student ratio had not yet reached one teacher to 15 pupils. She said this indicated that "there is no overcrowding of schools." More recent figures were not provided to give a more accurate picture of the existing situation.

 

"It is important to note that in the spirit of cooperation of ministries, the enforcement of the immigration laws to prevent undocumented immigration from becoming unmanageable and cost-prohibitive for the Ministry of Education and for government in general is very important," Laurens cautioned. "Schools can't do it on their own, Justice can't do it on its own. It needs a concerted effort by both ministries."

 

Several MPs had expressed concern about the issue during the meeting of the Central Committee on the United Nations Children's Fund UNICEF report on the situation of youth and youngsters in St. Maarten. National Alliance (NA) MP George Pantophlet said parents must assume their responsibilities. He said too that it was not the case that parents could bring their children to the country on one day on vacation and enrol them in a school the following day because compulsory education is in effect in St. Maarten.

 

He said that according to the law, parents first must file for residence permits for their children and if the permits have been granted, then the children can be brought to the island with landing permits.

 

Lourens said a report was currently being compiled by the Division of Inspection on the number of children who had entered the system as a part of the introduction of compulsory education. The effects of the introduction of compulsory education also will be assessed in the report.

 

Compulsory education was introduced in 2009 as part of a five-year phased implementation system starting with the youngest children. The final leg of the implementation is carried out done this year with students ages 15-18 years.

The Minister said the report would be presented to Parliament once it had been completed and checked for accuracy.

She also said that with the introduction of compulsory education, there should have been a decrease in enrolment at the so-called undocumented schools and increased enrolment in established and "government-approved" schools. "At this moment, this also needs to be looked into and we will be in a better position to give exact figures and data regarding this at another time," she said

 

New schools that have been constructed in recent years include the Asha Stevens Hillside Christian School in Cay Hill, which was constructed due to the increased enrolment at Hillside Christian Schools.

 

A new SBO school also was built in Cay Hill and currently is registering students, and a new elementary school designated for special education and pupils with behavioural problems has been constructed in Belvedere.

 

(The Daily Herald)