
Minister of TEATT Mellissa Arrindell-Doncher (sitting) and her chief of staff, Cecil Nicholas (3rd from right) surrounded by representatives of the participating schools displaying their signed MOU.
School gardens are a wonderful way to use the schoolyard as a classroom, reconnect students with the natural world and the true source of their food, and teach them valuable gardening and agricultural concepts and skills that integrate with several subjects, such as math, science, art, health, and physical education, and is part of Government’s around the world providing food security for its people.
School Gardening has been in existence on St. Maarten for some time. However, with the passing of Hurricane Irma in September 2017 most gardens were severely damaged. It is against this backdrop that the Ministry of TEATT is considering providing support and financial assistance to schools in the coming year for the rebuilding of the school gardening program in line with promoting economic opportunities and sustainability.
Minister of TEATT, Mellissa Arrindell-Doncher encourages students to apply the “Grow what you and eat what you grow” concept to promote a better and healthier eating lifestyle.
The seven participating schools are:
The Asha Stevens Hillside Christian School, The Oranje Primary School, The Sister Magda Primary School, The Helmich Snijders Hillside Christian School, The Methodist Agogic Center Primary School - Browlia F. Maillard Campus, The St. Maarten Seventh-day Adventist School and The Methodist Agogic Center Primary School – Rev. John A. Gumbs Campus.