The source said the executive council took a decision in 2006 to appoint a director and a team to assist with getting the SMITH program accredited, and to make the SMITH a foundation but the board members and the education department who is responsible for executing the decisions of the executive council did not follow through with their task. The source further said while they believe politics may be the motive to end the SMITH program the former commissioner of education Sarah Wescot Williams also did not follow up with the decisions taken by her council in 2006.
Board members of the SMITH SMN News understand were Qunicy Harrigan, Claudette Labega, and Patricia Laurens all civil servants attached to the education department. Harrigan they said held the position of chairman of the SMITH board while heading the education department. SMN News further learnt that Harrigan and his team at the education department gave a negative advice to which a damning report was written against the SMITH program.
SMN News further learnt that several requests submitted by the SMITH were blocked by the education department and Wescot Williams in her capacity, as commissioner of education did nothing to rectify the problems the SMITH organizers encountered. SMN News further learnt that a request was submitted for a new location with simulation facilities as well as transportation was requested all of which was blocked at the education department. "It's like the education department was working against the SMITH and youths in particular because they did nothing to make sure the 40+ students who were part of the program got what they deserved since they all followed through with the program and graduated.
According to our sources, the Ministry of education was using the documents created by SMITH for its accreditation even though St. Maarten did not make sure this program, which was taking off several students off the streets, got its accreditation.
While the board members and the education department did not execute their duties and a change in government is blamed for ending the program, it is understood that the program had been sidelined long before June 2009.
SMN News further learnt that the current commissioner of education William Marlin had met with the coordinators and the students who attended the SMITH program after reading the report on the SMITH prior to taking a decision to end the program. Marlin who is currently in the Netherlands could not be reached for a comment at press time.
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