MARIGOT – The International Rights of the Child Day 2016 ceremony, hosted this year by the Collectivité de Saint Martin, under the theme: “Educate me right so my future is Bright,” was held on November 21, at the Hotel de la Collectivité in Marigot.
Minister of Education, Culture, Youth, and Sports Silveria Jacobs was in attendance. Préfête Déléguée Anne Laubies as well as other representatives of the French government were also in attendance.
The Minister gave an address, informing the public of the strides the Dutch side is making to launch ICT in the classroom program for the public schools. The special education schools will the first to fully benefit from the ICT in the classroom program as those students have the most need.
“Education for the children is not just about the books and the learning, but the artistic development, the development of sports, and the learning of cultural heritage to build the total child,” the Minister added.
“The gate does not stop at the border, and our children do cooperate and collaborate in the areas of sport and culture. They learn from each other and live together, so we as Collectivité and the Government of St. Maarten must do all we can to ensure all the children of St. Maarten/St. Martin have all these opportunities,” Minister Jacobs concluded.
Children of the various elementary schools on the French side gave presentations in connection with the rights of children.
The Rights of the Child celebrations are collaborative efforts put forth between the Youth Affairs Department of the Collectivité and the Government of St. Maarten. The schedule of events began on November 1, with the commencement of the Early Childhood Development program. The Youth Poetry evening at the SOIL center was held on November 15, and the Youth awards hosted by the Youth Council on November 19.
The events will continue throughout the week and include, the Youth Parliament presentation on November 25; the ROTC Sports Day on November 26; the Sharks Swim team Family Bike-a-Thon and Breakfast on December 3; the St. Maarten Promoting Young Ambassadors Movie Night on December 8; ROC Christmas party on December 11, ending with part two of the Youth Poetry evening on December 16.
