PHILIPSBURG:---  Prime Minister and Minister of General Affairs, the Honorable Dr. Luc Mercelina, chaired a high-level follow-up meeting on Monday, September 14, 2026, concerning the proposed introduction of Suriname Airways service to Sint Maarten.

The meeting brought together representatives of Surinam Airways, the Cabinet of the Minister of Tourism, Economic Affairs, Transport and Telecommunication, Princess Juliana International Airport, the Sint Maarten Tourism Bureau and the Department of Civil Aviation.

The discussions followed the Prime Minister’s meeting with Surinam Airways officials at the airline’s headquarters in Suriname in November 2025. That engagement explored the possibility of establishing a regional air connection linking Paramaribo, Georgetown and Sint Maarten.

Monday’s meeting focused on further developing a comprehensive and sustainable business case for the proposed route. Particular attention was given to the viability of connecting through Guyana, opportunities for increased passenger movement, and the route's potential contribution to regional tourism, trade and economic activity.

“The proposed connection represents more than an additional air route. It presents an opportunity to strengthen the movement of people, goods and services between Sint Maarten, Guyana and Suriname,” Prime Minister Mercelina stated.

“This proposed connection is also important for the Surinamese and Guyanese community living in Sint Maarten. Improved regional connectivity can make it easier for families to remain connected, while supporting cultural ties and creating new opportunities for travel, trade and investment,” the Prime Minister added.

“Our objective is to ensure that any route pursued is supported by a sound and sustainable business case that clearly demonstrates its value to Sint Maarten and the wider region. This requires the continued involvement of our aviation, airport, tourism and economic partners, along with the necessary regulatory coordination,” Prime Minister Mercelina concluded.

The Department of Civil Aviation will continue the required follow-up concerning the appropriate air traffic rights, in consultation with the relevant Kingdom partners. Surinam Airways and other key stakeholders will also continue working on the commercial, operational, and regulatory requirements needed to advance the proposal.

The meeting concluded with a shared commitment among the stakeholders to continue the required technical, regulatory and commercial follow-up. The proposed route remains subject to completing and evaluating a sufficiently substantiated business case, granting the appropriate air traffic rights, and fulfilling all applicable operational and regulatory requirements.

The Government of Sint Maarten remains committed to strengthening regional connectivity, serving the needs of its diverse community and expanding opportunities for tourism and trade. Any proposed partnership must be pursued responsibly and deliver clear, sustainable benefits for the people and economy of Sint Maarten.

PHILIPSBURG  (DCOMM):---  The Collective Prevention Service (CPS) COVID-19 vaccination clinic will be open by appointment only on Friday, September 18, 2026.

CPS reminds the community that COVID-19 has not disappeared. According to the World Health Organization (WHO)'s latest global respiratory virus update, published on September 2, the number of COVID-19 cases remained stable and low globally, with 34,248 new COVID-19 cases from 55 countries and 164 reported deaths.

The WHO identifies XFG as the most prevalent global variant, while it continues to monitor several others.

The virus continues to circulate and can still pose health risks, particularly to vulnerable individuals.

Maintaining routine preventive measures and staying up to date with recommended vaccinations remain important for protecting individual and public health.

The clinic, located at the CPS offices in the Vineyard Building Office Park in Philipsburg, will administer COVID-19 booster vaccines to persons aged 12 and older from 10:00 AM to 11:30 AM.

Due to the limited supply of vaccines, persons interested in receiving a booster must schedule an appointment in advance by calling 914 and selecting option 4, calling 542-1570, or emailing This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

The COVID-19 booster is voluntary and provided free of charge. Persons with an appointment are asked to bring their vaccination card and a valid form of identification.

PHILIPSBURG:--- The Division of Educational Innovation of the Ministry of Education, Culture, Youth and Sport hosted a three-day STEM to STEAM Teacher Training Workshop, aimed at strengthening innovative, interdisciplinary, and student-centered teaching practices within Sint Maarten’s
schools.
Participants included educators from public and government-subsidized Preparatory Secondary Vocational Education (PSVE) schools.
The professional development workshop, facilitated by Dr. Delroy Pierre, focused on supporting
educators to transition from STEM, Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics to STEAM, which incorporates the Arts as an integral component of creativity, design, communication and problem-solving.
Throughout the three-day training, participating educators explored how STEAM can move beyond teaching subjects in isolation by connecting disciplines around authentic problems, inquiry, and project-based learning. The workshop emphasized creativity, critical thinking, collaboration, Creative Problem Solving (CPS), explicit instruction, process￾based assessment, and the effective use of rubrics.
One highlight of the workshop was a practical popsicle-stick bridge challenge, in which educators designed and built a bridge using no more than 100 popsicle sticks and glue. Each bridge was required to span 30 centimeters and withstand
increasing force. Participants tested the finished structures with heavy dictionaries, experiencing firsthand the process of designing, measuring, constructing, testing, evaluating, and improving a solution.
The activity showed how Mathematics, Science, Engineering, Technology, and the Arts can naturally intersect within a single classroom project while also building teamwork, communication, perseverance, and creativity. The exercise also reinforced that meaningful STEAM education does not require expensive equipment; thoughtfully designed activities using simple, accessible materials can stimulate deep learning and problem-solving.

The training also emphasized assessment as a process. Educators were encouraged to evaluate students throughout the different stages of a project, including research, planning, design, construction, testing, presentation, and reflection, rather than assessing only the final product. This approach provides teachers with a more complete understanding of student learning while creating opportunities for intervention, feedback, and improvement throughout the learning process. It also allows students to demonstrate progress and achievement at multiple stages rather than having their performance be determined solely by a final product or grade.
The workshop further emphasized the importance of collaboration across subject areas. By breaking down traditional subject silos, educators can work together to develop projects in which students understand how knowledge from different disciplines connects to real-life situations and
challenges.
The training forms part of the Division of Educational Innovation’s continued efforts to support educators in strengthening classroom practices and preparing students with the creativity, critical-thinking, communication, collaboration, and problem-solving skills required for the future.

Minister of Education, Culture, Youth and Sport noted that continued investment in teachers must go hand in hand with greater exposure to the technologies that are reshaping education and the world in which students will live and work.

“Professional development must equip our teachers to bring new ideas, technology and innovative approaches into the classroom. As we increase exposure to emerging tools such as artificial intelligence, our focus must remain on empowering teachers to use innovation in ways that inspire our children, strengthen learning and help every student realize their potential.”
Following the successful workshop, attention will now turn toward supporting implementation during the 2026–2027 school year. The workshop identified several areas for continued support, including STEAM professional development for school managers and directors; greater opportunities for interdisciplinary planning; stronger use of process-based assessment and rubrics; increased use of low-cost, hands-on STEAM activities; and follow-up opportunities for participating teachers to share their classroom implementation experiences.

Ultimately, the training reinforced a central principle for the future of STEAM education in Sint Maarten: clear expectations, creative freedom, interdisciplinary collaboration, and process-based assessment can create stronger and more meaningful learning experiences for students.

PHILIPSBURG:--- A scooter rider was injured in a head-on collision on A.Th. Illidge Road on Tuesday, September 15, 2026. A second collision involving a motorcycle and a bus occurred at the same location shortly afterward.
According to the Police Force of Sint Maarten (KPSM), the first accident occurred at approximately 11:45 a.m. near the intersection with Zorg en Rust Road.
A red Suzuki Swift was traveling from Mount William Hill toward Zorg en Rust Road when its driver attempted to pass a bus stopped on the left side of the roadway.
At the same time, a scooter was approaching from the opposite direction, heading toward Mount William Hill. During the passing maneuver, the Suzuki Swift collided head-on with the scooter.
The impact threw the scooter rider onto the windshield of the Suzuki Swift, causing injuries. However, when police officers arrived at the scene, the rider was no longer present. Information obtained afterward indicated that the rider had traveled to the French side to seek medical attention. The nature and severity of the injuries were not disclosed.
A second collision occurred at the location shortly afterward. A motorcycle traveling in the same direction as the scooter approached the accident scene and swerved left to avoid becoming involved in the initial collision. The motorcycle subsequently struck the front of the stopped bus.
The motorcycle rider escaped injury.
KPSM is investigating the circumstances surrounding both collisions.