The decision to allow French children living on the Dutch side to cross the border so they can attend school (see Wednesday paper) was the only right thing to do. Suggesting they could follow lessons at home online while their classmates are physically taught just did not make much sense.
On the Dutch side, distance learning is still the order of the day, be it not without difficulty as Minister of Education, Culture, Youth and Sport (ECYS) Minister Rodolphe Samuel acknowledged in Parliament earlier this week. It is heartening to see all the initiatives to equip students, their parents and teachers with the necessary Internet service and electronic devices to make it work, but some are inevitably being left partially or even completely behind.
One therefore wishes a speedy but safe return to at least a combination of the two, or so-called “blended” education. In addition to academics, going to school is also about interacting with others, being in a group setting and developing social skills.
The hope is also for a total lifting of the border restrictions, which were extended until September 15. Recent statements by French-side hoteliers and today’s interview with three of their major counterparts on the Dutch side confirmed the damage these blockades have done to the already hard-hit tourism economy of the entire island.
That and the negative PCR test requirement within 72 hours before incoming travel have been some of the biggest obstacles to revive the dominant hospitality industry. These issues need urgent attention because time to keep many of the resorts alive and their workers employed is fast running out.
This is certainly the case for St. Maarten, as there are currently no negotiations regarding a third tranche of liquidity loans from the Netherlands that would enable continued payroll support to prevent widespread business closures and mass layoffs. No matter how you look at it, restoring the country’s earnings as best possible is crucial at this point.
