PHILIPSBURG:--- The National Alliance acknowledges education as central to the continued development of St. Maarten moving forward. All other areas - youth, sports, cultural and economic development, labour, preservation of our environment, health care, crime, youth crime etc. are dependent on how Education is addressed.
We therefore introduce "Education" as the first topic of the National Alliance manifesto.
- Evaluate and improve the funding in education to meet the needs of 21st century learners, educators, parents, business sector and society at large.
- Revise curriculum to meet the needs and address the challenges of today's students with special emphasis on literacy St. Maarten history, culture and social studies.
- Access to academic levels of education (college prep) for PSVE students.
- Implement After-School Program which will emphasize sports & recreation, the arts and St. Maarten culture.
- Implement annual and bi-annual education conferences to maintain stakeholders participation in the process of continuous improvements in education
- Address the language of instruction with input from the various stakeholders and the population of St. Maarten.
- Include and regulate Early Education (3+ years) Care at every school.
- Provide Educational opportunities for students with special needs, as well as guidance and support for their families
- Promotion of Entrepreneurship programs within secondary and tertiary education.
- Incentives programs to businesses (tax breaks) for youth internships.
- Incentives for businesses (tax breaks) for Adult Education Programs within companies.
- Establish a policy to promote volunteerism within educational system.
- Institutional strengthening and finalization of accreditation for University of St. Martin.
- Access to library services (use of technology) in all districts.
- Health Care Policy in schools with first responder certification for faculty and staff within schools.
- Regulate procedures for behavior policy to be implemented island wide for students and adults.
- Create Institutes for Culinary Arts, Hospitality and Languages at tertiary level.