PHILIPSBURG:--- The Ministry of Education, Culture, Youth and Sport has completed Week Two of its Conflict Resolution Training (CRT) pilot, marking a major milestone as the initiative expanded beyond educator development to directly engage first-form students and their parents. The project, led by the Division for Educational Innovation (DEI), continues to strengthen the island’s response to school-based conflict and youth well-being by building shared tools, language, and practices across entire school communities.
This programme responds to the documented rise in adolescent conflict, including peer aggression, bullying, intimidation, and emotional dysregulation, highlighted in recent UNICEF and Court of Guardianship reports. By equipping teachers, students, and families with practical strategies, the CRT pilot aims to cultivate safer learning environments, improve relational trust, and create a unified culture of peace throughout participating schools.
Building on Week One’s educator training, Week Two shifted focus toward those most affected by school conflict: students and their families. The sessions were facilitated by regional Social Impact & Grant Strategy Specialist Mr. Kwasi Cudjoe and Caribbean Associates for Life Skills, Mediation and Management Director Mr. Marlon Bascombe. Their combined expertise grounded the work in global best practices tailored to St. Maarten’s unique social and cultural realities.
First-form students participated in a series of hands-on sessions designed to strengthen self-regulation, improve communication skills, and build peer leadership capacity. Through role-plays, small-group challenges, and guided reflection, students practiced applying Nonviolent Communication (NVC) stems, identified common conflict triggers, and explored healthy ways to interrupt escalation. Educators observing the sessions noted a notable shift in student participation, with several expressing surprise at the depth of insight students offered during dialogue activities. Week Two also featured a dedicated Parent Engagement Session, facilitated by Mr. Cudjoe. Parents explored the factors shaping adolescent behaviour and reflected on communication habits that may unintentionally increase stress or conflict. Many parents expressed appreciation for learning simple, practical tools they could use at home to reinforce school-based practices.
As the CRT pilot moves into its next phase in 2026, parents, students and educators will continue collaborating to strengthen alignment between home and school systems and reinforce shared responsibility for youth well-being and deepen the visibility of peace-building routines across the pilot schools. With momentum building across all levels of the school community, the CRT pilot continues to lay the foundation for long-term transformation. The initiative is part of a multi-year effort supported through 2026, drawing on the expertise of consultants and educators to build safer and more emotionally supportive schools. The Division for Educational Innovation remains committed to advancing school climate, strengthening student well-being, and equipping St. Maarten’s youth with the skills necessary to thrive in both their learning environments and daily lives.
We were extremely impressed with the large number of parents, including fathers and grandfathers, who attended and participated in the Parents’ sessions organized on Thursday, December 4, and Friday, December 5, 2025. Both sessions were very interactive, as the trainers provided opportunities for parents to share their experiences. We would like to thank the schools’ management for encouraging parents to attend the sessions. We extend a special thank you to all parents and grandparents who came out,” said Ms. Oralie Boirard, Manager of the Division for Educational Innovation (DEI).
