Dear Editor,
I’ve been meaning to write for some time. However, the months of May and June are the busiest months for educators and people in education. We do more work in 2 months than Government does in 1 year, but I’m getting ahead of myself.
Now that we’re on hiatus, and I’ve finished putting in all the grades and attending all the meetings I possibly can, here I am … ready to ruffle some feathers … and maybe ignite some brain cells?
First, my disclaimer: Yes, this will be a long letter, so if you don’t like to read, move on. I maintain that persons in our community must master this, before showing their lack of this skill in any of their communications.
Second, I may or may not use colourful language. Those of you who are easily offended (part of the group who don’t read), scroll on past. Buh bye …
Third, if you feel a need to respond in any way, shape or form, note that I don’t engage with responses that are poorly written, where you don’t even know what you’re saying because you didn’t read everything, and simply assume you know what I said. Trust me. You don’t!
Now that’s out of the way, let’s get to it!
Next year, I will be an educator in St. Maarten for 30 years! I’d like to voice my observation of how education in SXM has progressed (or regressed) in these past 30 years.
Some would call this an achievement (I don’t get extra pay for this, I’d still have to work 5 more years), others would ask how I did it (I don’t even know myself) and still others can’t fathom what it means to be in a system where so-called change is meant to make our jobs as educators better (hah!). On the contrary, let me tell you what I’ve experienced over my 30-year career.
1. I still remember when we used to get Christmas bonuses. It was only NAf. 300, which was still taxed, (it was a joke amongst us, because why give us a bonus then take back almost half of it?) But it was something.
2. I remember when FBE [foundation-based education – Ed.] came into existence, and I remember asking “why?” In my opinion, there was nothing wrong with our education system. Didn’t all the Ministers and MPs come from that system? Why did we have to adopt something that others didn’t want?
3. I remember when we had Commissioners of Education, and an Executive Council. Interestingly enough, persons back then are still part of our government today. What have they achieved? A nice pension, as I understand it.
4. I remember when we had austerity measures leveled on us where we didn’t receive vacation pay for years. One year, I remember receiving a payslip telling me my vacation pay was 0.002%. My reaction? Why waste ink and paper to tell me this? In addition, why call it “vacation allowance” now? I feel like a child waiting on my “allowance.”
5. I remember when higher supervision was imposed on SXM, and most important to note, that was the only time I ever received a tax refund so quickly. Now I wait months to receive it, but if I were the one owing, I’d have 2 weeks to pay or make “payment arrangements.”
6. I remember when the new salary scales came into effect. The old scales had your salary freezing at age 38, now it’s age 40. Do the math. It’s true.
7. I remember you could go on early retirement at age 55, now it seems that I’ll never retire, because the retirement age keeps going up.
8. I remember the roads always painted nicely before school started, now – can someone tell me when last we had decent lines on our roads? At least paint the pedestrian crossings or something. Oh, wait. You need money to do that. That’s always the issue isn’t it?
9. I remember when there was no Carnival vacation. Just Labour Day and Queens Day. Now Carnival vacation is 2 weeks long. And takes place during the exam period for exam students.
10. I remember when summer vacation was 6 weeks long, now it’s 4 weeks for the students and 3 weeks for the teachers since you have to be “available” the week before. My reaction. Whatever. … My availability is subject to change.
11. I remember, you could get a “scholarship” and once you came home to work, after 3 years your debt was considered paid. Now, it’s “study financing.”
12. I remember when I got my 1st email address. Now I have too many.
13. I remember making less, but having more. Now I make more, but have less.
14. I remember working 35 hours, and being able to get home before 3:00pm. Now the working hours have been reduced to 32 hours and my work is never ending.
15. I remember when I got the sense that those in charge of my country at least cared a little about us. Now, I feel nothing. Absolutely no love of country from those who are tasked and being handsomely paid to take care of the country’s business.
And this is the biggest thing for me. That lack of caring by our representatives is what I want to focus on. I don’t give a s**t, what anyone says, I’ve said this before and I’ll keep saying it until I see and feel different: You do not care about your country and its people!
Someone who cares would not allow a casino to open and operate up the a** of a school and library.
Someone who cares would not have teachers and students working in a classroom filled with mold.
Someone who cares would do all in their power to rebuild (as soon as possible) the island’s only library (which promotes reading and literacy), as well as fixing all schools.
Someone who cares would never allow just some persons to receive vacation pay, while holding the school boards hostage because they’d previously paid their employees because there was no law saying they couldn’t.
Now, we’re in a so-called “better financial position” school boards are awaiting word from you – the Government – because they want to pay their employees but cannot because they’ve been operating on outdated budgets for years, and don’t want that jeopardised. Yet, other islands are actively working on phasing out the 12.5%.
Someone who is for the country would do their d**ndest to stop or slow down rising prices, so our country’s poorest can eke out a living.
Do you know that probably 90% of us (myself included) have 2nd and 3rd jobs? We have to because that’s the only way we can survive here.
Someone who loves their country would set an example, by having their salaries and benefits cut and not f**king bitch about it. They would set the example. If we must constantly sacrifice to help you pay your bills, then your a** needs to be grateful, and show that gratitude by doing your d**ndest for your people to at least feel like they’re supported, and we’re weathering this crisis together.
We are always, always, called on to sacrifice. We have to keep doing the usual or more with less. When will you actually do your job and work?
Someone who cares would review a statement before going in front of your peers and showing you didn’t care enough to do just that.
Frankly, I’m so sick and tired of the posturing, blaming, name-calling, ship-jumping, and general hypocritical laissez-faire attitude, that sometimes I feel like throwing my arms up and giving you all the finger (on both hands) while simultaneously cussing you out. It would make me feel great, but what would I have accomplished? Same like you. Nothing!
But, you see, I feel something you don’t. No matter what, St. Maarten is my home, and I love her, even if she doesn’t love me back. St. Maarten isn’t all bad.
In fact, we have several advantages other island nations don’t. State-of-the-art harbour; state-of-the-art airport (it’s coming … after 5 years … maybe); state-of-the-art hospital (that’s coming too). We just need state-of-the-art schools now, or a state-of-the-art education system. Don’t forget that to run all these state-of-the-art facilities, we need state-of-the-art people.
I have mad love for St. Maarten, because she’s my home, and it’s my duty and responsibility to educate her children, so that they may someday steer this tiny island in the right direction. It’s sad to see the young ones in politics bowing out because the old heads make it difficult.
But remember this: Nothing lasts forever. And if you want your name remembered, and want to leave a lasting positive legacy, show some real love for our island. Too many come here, take what they can, then leave. Who remains? Us. The loyal St. Maarteners who love SXM too much to abandon her, and still try every day to make her better, in spite of strong opposition from our own.
This attitude of “that’s the way it is” or “who you think you be?” has to stop. Ever hear of working together? Ever hear of teamwork? Put me to speak in front of your Ministers and MPs and I’ll show you. And unlike some of you, I do put my money where my mouth is.
To those who are still with me at this point, I thank you. I didn’t use much profanity. I tried to keep it clean … for the children … or those who act like children. I’ve addressed many issues here, and I could go on with more.
However, what I’m saying is this: Change is inevitable and sometimes painful. You will not be in power forever, you will not be collecting NAf. 20,000 forever. What have you tangibly done to help your island? What legacy do you want to leave behind when you become just dust in the wind? I mean … You can’t even pass final legislation to ban plastic bags …
As a 30-year veteran (although I don’t look it!) I encourage you to look inward. Why are you in politics? Why are you part of government? Do you truly recognize the work we put into making you look good? Acknowledge this. We’re not interested in any more worthless plaques and certificates.
A nice start to show you care would be to make sure everybody receives their full vacation pay. I’m not going to be cute about this anymore. We all have to eat, we all have to pay our bills, and a certificate thanking me for my service isn’t going to put food on the table.
Anyway, I will now continue to enjoy my shortened vacation, in Balconia (my balcony, since that’s the only place I can afford to travel to) while continuing to work on becoming a better me, who loves her country way too much, and doesn’t give a rat’s a** what you think of her.
Carry on St. Maarten …
Corinne Lejuez-VanPutten
A St. Maarten woman who loves her country
