PHILIPSBURG:--- The Ministry of Public Health, Social Development and Labor (VSA) is pleased to announce the expansion of the national breakfast program, which will provide free daily breakfast to students at three additional schools beginning January 2026. This extension has been made possible through an XCG 50,000.00 allocation approved by Parliament.
The newly added schools are:
· Milton Peter College (MPC)
· Sundial School
· Ruby Labega Primary School
The breakfast program is a collaborative effort between the Ministry of VSA, the Ministry of Education, Culture, Youth and Sport (ECYS), and Rotary Club Sunrise, who have been key partners in ensuring students receive nutritious meals to start their day.
The expansion follows a motion submitted by Member of Parliament Sjamira Roseburg, which was approved on June 23, 2025, calling for broader support to ensure that no child attends school hungry. The motion emphasized that proper nutrition is essential to students’ concentration, academic performance, and overall well-being.
“No child should have to learn on an empty stomach,” MP Roseburg stated, underscoring the importance of the initiative for youth development and equity across the island.
Minister of VSA Richinel Brug expressed his support for the continued growth of the program: “Ensuring that our students are nourished and ready to learn is an investment in their future and in the future of Sint Maarten. We are grateful to our partners and to MP Roseburg for recognizing the importance of this initiative.”