PHILIPSBURG:---  Member of Parliament (MP) Lyndon Lewis expresses his deepest condolences to the family, friends, and the entire school community of the Milton Peters College following the tragic passing of one of its students.

The news of the student’s sudden death has deeply impacted students, teachers, and parents across the island. In light of the heartbreaking loss, students who were scheduled to prepare for their Caribbean Secondary Education Certificate (CXC) examinations were temporarily dismissed from school on Monday to allow time for reflection and mourning.

“This is a heartbreaking moment not only for the family but for the entire school community and our country as a whole. The loss of a young life is always painful, and my thoughts and prayers are with the parents, relatives, classmates, and teachers who are grieving during this extremely difficult time.”MP Lewis stated

While the exact cause of death has not yet been publicly disclosed, MP Lewis emphasized the importance of respecting the family’s privacy as they cope with this profound loss.

“I encourage the community to keep the family in their prayers and to respect their privacy as they navigate this tragic moment. As a society, we must come together to support one another, especially our young people who may be struggling to process this loss.” MP Lewis stated.

MP Lewis also commended the school administration for taking immediate steps to support students during this difficult period and encouraged continued counseling and emotional support services for those affected.

“Our schools are not only places of education but also communities of care. Ensuring that students and staff receive the support they need during times like this is critical.”

“The NOW faction stands in solidarity with this family. May they find strength, comfort, and peace in the love and support of the community during this time of grief.” MP Lewis concluded.

PHILIPSBURG:---  Science Week 2026 brought together students, educators, professionals, and community stakeholders in a celebration of curiosity, innovation, and discovery. The week of activities highlighted the growing interest in science, technology, engineering, arts, and mathematics (STEAM) across the island and set the stage for St. Maarten’s participation in the upcoming Super Regional Robotics Challenge in St. Kitts.

The week officially launched with an inspiring opening ceremony that highlighted the power of curiosity, problem-solving, and innovation among the island’s youth.

The ceremony featured addresses from Dr. Rolinda Carter, President of the St. Maarten Science Fair Foundation; the Honorable Prime Minister Dr. Luc Mercelina; and the Honorable Minister of Education, Culture, Youth & Sport (ECYS), Ms. Melissa Gumbs.

In her opening remarks, Dr. Carter emphasized the critical role that science and innovation play in the development and resilience of small island communities like St. Maarten. Referencing this year’s theme, “Innovate for Wellbeing,” she encouraged attendees to move beyond creative ideas and focus on solutions that improve the well-being of the communities they serve.

Minister of ECYS, Ms. Melissa Gumbs, highlighted the role of science in building a society of problem solvers. “The moment a child asks ‘why,’ that is the moment science begins,” the Minister stated, adding that children are born scientists and that education must nurture this natural curiosity.

Prime Minister Dr. Mercelina described Science Week not as a celebration of completed projects, but as a celebration of possibilities. He emphasized that Science Week represents the potential of young minds to shape solutions for the future of St. Maarten and beyond.

Following the opening ceremony, a Horizon Chat titled “Moving Ideas into Solutions” set the tone for the week, encouraging participants to think about how scientific ideas can be transformed into practical, real-world impact.

On Tuesday, Science Week continued with strong student participation as 61 students from six schools took part in seven educational field trips to STEAM-related businesses across the island, bringing science out of the textbook and into real-life environments. These hands-on experiences allowed students to engage with science in a practical and meaningful way.

The week also included the flagship event, the St. Maarten National Science Fair, with the official presentation and judging of student science projects. Participating schools included Learning Unlimited, MAC Comprehensive Secondary Education, St. Maarten Academy, St. Maarten Academy VBC, and the Caribbean International Academy. The St. Maarten Science Fair Foundation extends its sincere appreciation to the judges for their time, expertise, and dedication.

The public viewing that followed welcomed local, regional, and international visitors, including delegations from St. Eustatius, Anguilla, St. Martin, and the United States, highlighting the growing regional interest in the St. Maarten Science Fair Foundation's work and its efforts to promote science, innovation, and collaboration.

The Science Week Award Ceremony will take place on March 21, 2026, at the Convention Center of Simpson Bay Resort. Members of the public, educators, students, professionals, and partners are encouraged to register via the email invitation or contact +1 (721) 588-9650 for more information.

Robotics and Regional Representation

A major outcome of Science Week’s continued growth is St. Maarten’s participation in the inaugural OECSRA (now ECRIA) Super Regional Robotics Challenge, to be held in St. Kitts from March 16–20, 2026.

In preparation for this event, secondary schools across the island were invited to nominate students interested in robotics and innovation. Responses were received from five schools, and selected students met biweekly to train in robotics and coding.

After a structured three-tier selection process consisting of peer nominations, coach nominations, and an online assessment, two students were selected to represent St. Maarten:

• Jacob Boxshall — Learning Unlimited
• Akash Pillai — St. Maarten Academy
  
  

Two additional students were named as alternates:

• Edom Richardson — St. Maarten Academy
• Dominic Peters — St. Maarten Academy Vocational Business Campus
  
  

The delegation, facilitated by the St. Maarten Science Fair Foundation, will include the two students and coaches Mr. Julian Mason and Mr. Conlan King, whose guidance has been instrumental in preparing the team.

As this is an inaugural event, the President of the Foundation, Dr. Rolinda Carter, will also travel with the delegation to establish the Foundation’s presence and strengthen regional collaboration.

The students’ participation in this challenge was made possible through the generous sponsorship of the Bureau of Telecommunications and Post St. Maarten.

Science Week 2026 continues to demonstrate the Foundation’s mission to inspire curiosity, strengthen STEAM education, and empower the next generation of innovators, both locally and regionally, representing St. Maarten.

For more information, please visit the SMSFF Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/SXMSCIENCEFAIR/.

PHILIPSBURG: --- St Maarten is facing a growing crisis as violent crime escalates, yet the island’s budget priorities remain heavily skewed toward corruption investigations. While the Taskforce Bestrijding Ondermijning (TBO) receives substantial funding to tackle financial and economic crimes and corruption, the resources allocated to hardcore criminal activities are woefully inadequate. This imbalance is leaving residents and visitors increasingly vulnerable, as evidenced by a recent spate of armed robberies.

A Budget Focused on Corruption

The Public Prosecutor’s Office (OM Sint Maarten) operates on a modest budget, with recent annual reports highlighting consistent underspending. In 2021, the office was allocated Cg 4.13 million, of which Cg 3.6 million was spent, leaving Cg 528,865 unutilized due to vacancies and adjustments in vacation pay. Similarly, in 2022, the budget was Cg 3.98 million, with actual expenditures of Cg 3.77 million, resulting in an under-spend of Cg 205,820. Personnel costs dominated the budget, with Cg 2.95 million allocated in 2021 and Cg 2.83 million in 2022, leaving limited funds for other critical areas like housing, transport, and general operations.

The reports for 2023 and 2024 lack detailed financial statements, focusing instead on cases, performance indicators, and operations. A 2024 performance indicator references the “outgoing budget PEA SXM,” implying continued budgeted operations, but no totals are provided. Fines collected under the “Paga Bo But” initiative amounted to Cg 203,715 in 2024 from 1,412 settlements. However, asset recovery and confiscation targets, such as the Cg 200,000 goal for 2024, were not fully met due to capacity issues.

Dutch Contributions: A Double-Edged Sword

While the OM Sint Maarten’s local budget is limited, significant funding for law enforcement comes from Dutch contributions to the TBO and the Recherche Samenwerkingsteam (RST). These funds, channeled through the Ministries of Justice & Security (JenV) and Kingdom Relations (BZK), are primarily aimed at tackling corruption, financial crimes, and undermining activities across the Caribbean part of the Kingdom.

For 2025–2027, the Dutch government has allocated approximately €35.5 million annually for TBO and RST operations. This funding is structural and supports investigations into corruption, the involvement of public officials, and financial and economic crimes. Additionally, €1 million per year is earmarked for governance tools to combat undermining criminality, and €17.5 million is allocated to sustainable investigations into financial crimes. Beyond 2027, the remaining RST/TBO budgets will stay within the Kingdom Relations (IV) budget rather than being fully transferred to JenV. Related justice support, including co-financing for prison improvements in St. Maarten, is estimated at €7–13 million annually.

While these contributions are critical for addressing corruption and financial crimes, they do little to address the island’s growing violent crime problem. The focus on corruption investigations has inadvertently left a gap in the fight against hardcore criminal activity, which is becoming increasingly brazen.

Violent Crime on the Rise

St. Maarten’s streets are becoming more dangerous, with violent crime escalating at an alarming rate. Over the weekend, visitors from Aruba were robbed at gunpoint while returning to their hotel after participating in a cockfighting tournament. This incident is just one of many recent armed robberies that have left residents and tourists feeling unsafe. The police have yet to release any information on this latest crime, further highlighting the challenges in addressing public safety.

The OM St. Maarten’s budget for personnel, housing, and general operations is stretched thin, leaving little room for proactive measures against violent crime. Transport and general expenses, for instance, accounted for only Cg 141,000 and Cg 409,000, respectively, in 2022—figures that pale in comparison to the resources needed to combat escalating criminal activities.

A Call for Balance

The structural funding for TBO and RST operations underscores the Dutch government’s commitment to addressing corruption and financial crimes in the Caribbean. However, the growing wave of violent crime in St Maarten demands urgent attention. Without a balanced approach that allocates sufficient resources to both corruption investigations and core crime-fighting efforts, the island risks undermining public trust and safety.

The current allocation of resources reflects a troubling disconnect between policymakers' priorities and the realities on the ground. While corruption investigations are undoubtedly important for long-term governance and stability, they cannot come at the expense of public safety. Sint Maarten’s residents and visitors deserve a justice system that is equipped to address all forms of crime, not just those that make headlines in boardrooms.

As St. Maarten grapples with these challenges, it is imperative for local and Dutch authorities to reassess budget priorities. Strengthening the capacity to address violent crime while maintaining the focus on corruption is essential to ensuring a safer and more secure future for the island.

SOUTH REWARD:--- A Milton Peters College school student from the Cay Bay area has tragically passed away, prompting the temporary dismissal of certain students from school on Monday morning.
According to information circulating among parents and community members, the student was enrolled at Milton Peters College (MPC). School officials reportedly informed families that students preparing for CXC examinations would be sent home for the day following confirmation of the student’s death.
Community members stated that the student passed away at home on Sunday. At this time, no illness has been reported, and details surrounding the cause of death have not been publicly disclosed.
Out of respect for the family’s privacy, the student’s name has not been officially released.
The news has deeply affected the school community, where many students and staff are mourning the loss. Reports indicate that the student also had a sibling attending the same school.
Parents and residents across the island have expressed their condolences to the family during this difficult time.
School officials have not yet released further details, but are expected to provide guidance and support to students and staff in the coming days.
The community continues to offer prayers and support to the grieving family.