On Thursday November 7th Honorable Minister of Education, Culture, Youth and Sports Affairs of Sint Maarten, Mrs. Patricia Lourens-Philip signed a cooperation protocol with the Honorable Minister of Education, Culture and Science of the Netherlands, Dr. Jet Bussemaker concerning the 2013 budget for Studying in the Region, at the Dutch Embassy in Paris.
This yearly budget (138.000 euro) was made available for Sint Maarten in 2004 to replace the possibility for Antillean students to get Dutch Studyfinance for studying in the region.
The monies will be used this year for the development of four programs. These programs will include an acculturation course for all new teachers, a postgraduate diploma in Education, a certificate in Education for Technical and Vocational Education for all teachers at the NIPA (National Institute for Professional Advancement), and a program for continuing education for all teachers in Primary, Secondary and Tertiary Education.
All programs will be developed in close cooperation with the University of St. Martin (USM). The level and quality of the programs will be such that they are similar to the standards used by the NVAO in the Netherlands.
(LtoR Drs. Maria van Enckevort, Deputy Minister Plenipotentiary Mrs. Josianne Fleming-Artsen, Mrs. Patricia Lourens Minister of Education, Culture, Youth and Sports of Sint Maarten, Dr. Jet Bussemaker Minister of Education, Culture and Science of the Netherlands, Mr. Robert Zeldenrust Permanent Delegate and Ambassador of the Netherlands to France, Sonja Kuip Charge` de Mission)