On May 11, 2009, there was an Education Sector workshop, entitled, "Strengthening Departments, Enhancing Performance, Creating Quality," at the University of St. Martin.
Sector Education is a new constellation of 3 departments, Education , Education Research, Policy and Innovations plus Social & Cultural Development that was established on January 1, 2009 by the Executive Council of St. Maarten as one of the sectors in the New Government Structure.
The objective of the workshop is to provide all staff members and project workers with information regarding the present mandate of Sector Education; to allow the different Departments of Sector Education to present their tasks, missions, visions, and performance indicators for 2009-2010 to the general body of Sector Education; to develop a culture of quality performance and cooperation among the different departments; and finally, to identify the intensity and scope of the task of transitioning into a Ministry of Education.
As well there were brainstorming sessions on the most efficient ways to transit from Sector Education to the Ministry of Education, Youth, Sports, and Culture, including confirming decisions and actions on performance management, inter-departmental cooperation.
Speaking at the gathering were Commissioner of Sports Youth and Culture Maria Buncamper Molanus the Sector Director Claudette Labega, Island Secretary Joane Dovale-Meit, and Department Head of Education Quincy Harrigan and others