Interactive session for high school students and party representatives ~
Cul de Sac-- St. Maarten Academy’s academic campus has taken the initiative to host a panel discussion with the representatives of the various political parties and high school students in the run-up to Parliamentary Elections.
The event, which takes place on Tuesday, September 20, 2016 under the theme, "Generation Hope; Our Future Leaders", will see an interactive discussion among the party representatives and students from the host school, Charlotte Brookson Academy, MAC Comprehensive High School, St. Dominic High, Milton Peters College and Sundial.
Panelists confirmed for the event are Ms. Marinka Gumbs of the Democratic Party (DP), Mrs. Mercedes van der Waals-Wyatt Leader of Helping Our People Excel (HOPE), Mr. Cedric Peterson of the National Alliance (NA), Mr. Benjamin Bell of Sint Maarten Christian Party (SMCP), Mr. Terrance Frederick of St. Maarten Development Party (SDM), Ms. Tatiana Arrindell of United People’s (UP) party, and Mr. Romain Laville, of United St. Maarten Party (US Party).
According to coordinator Mrs. Kim Lucas-Felix, the panel discussion is aimed at engaging students in matters that affect them. Since the target population is senior high school students (Forms 4 – 6), they will also be discussing topics that are covered in their Social Sciences curriculum both at the CSEC and CAPE levels. These include education, health care, employment, the brain-drain, crime, and economic diversification, to name a few. As educators, we have a civic responsibility in shaping an educated electorate, our future leaders. Additionally, our youth should not be passive participants in matters that affect them.
The two-hour session, which runs from 12:00pm – 2:00pm at Academy’s academic campus, will be moderated by Distinguished Toastmaster Mrs. Amanda Bedminister-Vital.
