The signing of a National Decree to fund a law course at University of St. Martin (USM) reported on in Monday’s paper should not go unnoticed. There had been some recent concern that related lessons did not start in September as planned.
Education Minister Wycliffe Smith may now finalise the agreement with University of Curaçao to provide its existing programme via USM. This will involve live-streaming, some pre-recorded classes and in certain cases professors travelling to Philipsburg to personally lecture and guide students.
The complaint is frequently heard that most judges as well as prosecutors and, to a lesser extent, lawyers are by necessity European Dutchmen, often with little affinity for the island. That doesn’t mean they fail to do their job correctly, but there is at least a perceived lack of understanding and appreciation for local culture, customs and circumstances.
The latter can be a blessing in disguise as it mostly spares judicial authorities from having to deal with so-called “close to home” matters involving family, relatives and friends. This probably allows them to be less emotional and more objective about the case before them.
Nevertheless, it’s crucial for any country to develop its own legal expertise for obvious reasons, including the drafting of legislation. Considering also the rapid growth of St. Maarten’s tourism economy during the last several decades such a programme is in fact long overdue.
An amount of one million Antillean guilders has been made available. The course will cost US $3,000 per year for each student and take four to five years to complete.
Some 25 students on the island had originally registered and another 10 showed interest. Assuming 30 persons enrol, that would thus require a combined annual budget of $90,000 or between $360,000 and $450,000 in total for the entire study.
So, while NAf. 1 million appears enough to cover the now envisioned period, ultimately other money sources would be needed in the future to keep the programme going afterwards. And to have a truly positive long-term impact, its continuity is essential.
