Philipsburg:--- President of the Windward Islands Teachers Union (WITU), Claire Elshot extended belated greetings to all teachers on St. Maarten for Teachers' Day. Elshot was off island at the time but took the opportunity to greet all teachers during WICLU's weekly press conference that was held on Thursday. Elshot said that the theme this year "Stand up for teachers" speaks for itself however, several teachers on St. Maarten contacted her since she returned to the island and wanted to know why there are nurses' week and police week celebrations and no celebration to recognize teachers on the island. She said that the union is analyzing the concerns of the teachers and as such they are considering putting together activities to celebrate and recognize the teachers and students of St. Maarten.
Elshot also announced that she will be postulating herself as a candidate to be re-elected as the President of WITU, that election she said will be scheduled shortly. In the meantime, Elshot said CTEC of Curacao just held their election and the board was able to maintain their presidency. Aruba she said held their elections on Wednesday but she was unable to get the results and outcome of their teachers' union election.
Elshot said she also has to share information she gathered in Aruba about the COLA payments that the government of St. Maarten wants to restructure. She said teachers in Aruba receive two allowances one in November and another in January while their vacation allowances is 8% while St. Maarten is stuck at 6%. Elshot said that teachers also have 10 extra days that they can use which they can cash in if they do not use it.
The WITU President said that the union will be addressing several issues with the Minister of Education. She said that St. Maarten is two years into a new country status and to date several institutions are not yet established. One such institution is the one to evaluate teachers' diplomas and degrees. She further explained that she met with a senior civil servant who said there are people to do such but the committee is not yet established.
Elshot also expressed concerns on the lack of opportunities for 16 year old students that have completed high school. She said that the government of St. Maarten is not doing their best to enhance education on St. Maarten, especially for students that finishes school at an early age. Elshot also said that the teachers of PSVE expressed concerns about the fact that two of their former students are now suspects of a heinous crime that was committed on the island.
