Dear Editor,
Christmas for us is a time when we are to celebrate good tiding and as a good Christian, we are to have faith that things will get better.
This year is coming to an end and it is leaving memories of moments in our minds. Some experiences of 2020 that I would like to share at this moment are the ones I had working with the team of the Ministry of Education, Culture, Youth and Sport.
I want to let them know that their hard work behind the scenes, which no-one sees, is appreciated. The words “thank you” are full with appreciation for all that you have done and are doing for the people of St. Maarten.
The unselfish time and effort and your commitment have helped us to continue through the challenges of this pandemic. To all of the departments and divisions, thank you again for assisting in getting the work done. To my cabinet members, thank you for being there and assisting me and enabling me to serve the people of St. Maarten in the function as Minister of the Ministry of Education, Culture, Youth and Sport.
Thank you again and Merry Christmas to you and your family.
To all of the schoolboards, the school managements, staff, teachers, parents and students I would like to say thank you for your cooperation and understanding of the situation. Teachers, I know and understand the hard work that is being done to assist our students in these trying times. Even though some of us are tired and would like this, to end, remember we are not out of the woods yet so do not let your guards down.
Thank you again and Merry Christmas to you and your family.
I would like to say a special thank you to Mr. Van Putten and his team who have poured part of the roof of the Prins Willem-Alexander School in St. Peters this week.
When I took office in March this project that started about 5 years ago was on a standstill. The gate to the property was closed and the trees had grown up all around the structure that was there.
So yes, I am happy to inform the public of St. Maarten that we were able to restart this project and hope to complete early in 2021.
To my colleague Ministers I would like to wish you a merry Christmas. To all of the civil servants thank you for all that you are doing in assisting us and the public of St. Maarten. I know we do not have the funds at the moment and we also have to stay a distance from each other. But as soon as it is possible, I would definitely be the first to assist in organizing a fitting thank you for you. Let us all keep safe and enjoy the Christmas in a peaceful and safe manner.
People of St. Maarten, 2020 is a tough year. Keeping the schools open and teaching the students face to face is my greatest wish. Keeping everyone healthy goes above this. The lower the active cases the safer it is for our students.
We can help in this process by adhering to the public health protocols, wearing of mask, washing of hands and keeping the social distance.
To all of our students out there in the world, we remember you every day and ask you to keep yourself healthy and safe and continued success with your studies.
Merry Christmas to the people of Sint Maarten.
Rodolphe Samuel
Minister of Education, Culture, Youth and Sport
