August 25, 2026 No comments
MP Doran Questions How Government Can Report a Surplus While Vendors Remain Unpaid
SINT MAARTEN (GREAT BAY) - Member of Parliament (MP) Egbert J. Doran is questioning how government can report a positive financial result while millions of guilders remain owed to vendors and civil servants continue waiting on payments and benefits due to them, the MP said in a press statement on Tuesday. During the 2026 Budget Debate, MP Doran focused on government’s reported first-quarter positive result of approximately Cg 39 million. For Doran, the issue is simple: if government is doing financially well, that should also be reflected in how it meets its obligations. He questioned why vendors who have already provided goods and services to government are still waiting to be paid, while civil servants continue waiting on jubilees and other outstanding payments. The...
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August 24, 2026 No comments
Minister Plenipotentiary Arrindell Discusses Opportunities for Cooperation with Aon
THE NETHERLANDS (THE HAGUE) – Minister Plenipotentiary of Sint Maarten, Drs. Gracita R. Arrindell, met with Michel Teunisse, Principal Consultant at Aon, for a constructive exchange on areas of mutual interest and possible future cooperation. Teunisse has longstanding ties to Sint Maarten and Curacao, having previously lived on the islands and worked at ENNIA. His knowledge of the island, combined with his extensive experience in international mobility, insurance and business development, provided a valuable basis for the discussion. During the meeting, Minister Arrindell and Teunisse exchanged views on several topics relevant to the continued development of Sint Maarten, including support for students studying in the Netherlands, attracting and retaining professional talent and preventative measures toward health and wellbeing. The discussion also explored how...
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August 24, 2026 No comments
J&IS and Court of Guardianship Call for Safe, Respectful Parenting Without Violence
SINT MAARTEN (GREAT BAY) - Judicial and Institutional Services (J&IS) and the Court of Guardianship (CoG) are aware of the recent public discussion regarding corporal punishment and physical discipline of children. Given the importance of this topic, both institutions wish to provide guidance on positive parenting, child protection, and the distinction between discipline and abuse. The discussion follows a recent court case involving serious abuse of a minor, which has prompted broader public discussion about corporal punishment, child abuse, and the legal responsibilities of parents and caregivers. The recent court case exposed a child who had endured repeated beatings over a prolonged period, leaving serious injuries and evidence of both old and recent wounds. This was not discipline. It was abuse....
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August 24, 2026 No comments
Sint Martin Unity Flag Now Has a Wikipedia Page
SINT MARTIN (GREAT BAY/MARIGOT) - The St. Martin Unity Flag has been “hoisted” on Wikipedia! The phrase is a playful reference to the banner that symbolizes the island’s historic unity and now has its own page in the free, collaboratively edited online encyclopedia. The Unity Flag was “adopted in 2022 by the governments of both sides of St. Martin” and “officially recognized as a cultural symbol … ‘affirming the unity and identity’ of the people of the island,” according to the Wikipedia page. The page includes an introduction as well as sections on the flag’s “History,” “Design,” and “Use,” followed by the standard “References” and “Further reading” sections. The St. Martin Unity Flag has steadily grown in use across the island since its...
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August 24, 2026 No comments
St. Dominic High School Celebrates Outstanding CSEC 2026 Results
SINT MAARTEN (SOUTH REWARD) - St. Dominic High School is proud to announce the exceptional performance of its students in the Caribbean Secondary Education Certificate (CSEC) Examinations administered by the Caribbean Examinations Council (CXC) in May/June 2026. The results reflect the school's unwavering commitment to academic excellence and the collective dedication of students, teachers, parents, and the wider school community. The school recorded an impressive 100% pass rate. Students earned a total of 159 Grade I passes, 115 Grade II passes, and 31 Grade III passes, demonstrating a consistently high standard of achievement across the curriculum. This year's results highlight the strength of St. Dominic High School's academic programmes. Many subject areas achieved a 100% pass rate, with particularly outstanding performances in...
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