Vocational education reform project moves into implementation

Soualiga Newsday reported that a plan to reform vocational education in Sint Maarten has been approved by the Council of Ministers and the Temporary Work Organization (TWO). According to the outlet, the Ministry of Education, Culture, Youth and Sport (ECYS) is moving the project from preparation into implementation.

The project is funded by TWO under the Country Package for Sint Maarten. It includes the planned activation of the Council of Education and Labor, or Raad van Onderwijs en Arbeid (CEL/ROA), as an advisory body on education and the labour market.

Soualiga Newsday reported that the council is to advise on links between education and work, identify education and training programmes that respond to labour-market needs, and monitor labour-market developments. Project Coordinator Martijn van der Linden presented the implementation approach to Minister Melissa D. Gumbs and ECYS staff, the outlet said.

ECYS also plans a review of Preparatory Secondary Vocational Education (PSVE/VSBO) and Secondary Vocational Education (SBO), including gaps and overlaps in the present system, curriculum renewal, and career guidance for students. In the coming months, the ministry plans to establish a project team, begin labour-market research, prepare the CEL/ROA membership process and start curriculum work, according to Soualiga Newsday.