Workshop Slated for Oct. 19, 2021
PHILIPSBURG – Rather than complaining, it is wiser to research what options there are for
continuing your education. This is applicable especially to graduates from Sundial school, Milton Peters
College VSBO, and the St. Maarten Academy PSVE.
Consequently the Student Support Services Division (SSSD) of the Ministry of Education, Culture,
Youth & Sport will be hosting a workshop entitled “My PBL, PKL and TKL Education and Beyond” on
Tuesday, October 18, 2021 from 5:00 PM to 6:30 PM to highlight the abovementioned.
According to SSSD officials, the graduates from these vocational schools have the possibility of
continuing their education in St. Maarten, Aruba, Bonaire, Curacao, the Netherlands, United States or Canada,
but they have to be aware of what their options are and what it takes to be successful.
The SSSD officials added that many students in Voorbereidend Secundair Beroepsonderwijs (VSBO)
or Preparatory Secondary Vocational Education (PSVE) – PBL, PKL and TKL – often need clarity about
their options after graduating. VSBO is offered at the Milton Peters College (PBL, PKL and TKL streams)
and at the Sundial School (PBL and PKL streams). PSVE is offered at the St. Maarten Academy PSVE (PBL
and PKL streams). For many students or graduates of the VSBO/ PSVE secondary school systems on the
island, the question of ‘What is next?’ after their education, often poses a challenge.
“During this workshop students will realize that there are many study or educational opportunities for
them and they have to be determined, focused and have the aptitude to successfully complete the requirements
at the next level,” the SSSD officials said.
The workshop is open to students in the last two years of the PBL, PKL and TKL sections and recent
graduates. Parents are also encouraged to attend this workshop to get an understanding of what the options are
for their children who are being educated in these systems.
There are ways and means for these graduates to continue their studies, if they wish, but all these
different opportunities have specific requirements and the graduates should be aware of these requirements.
Attendants of this workshop will also be explained some of the technicalities associated with moving from
vocational to academic education as well as moving off island to study.
“The path from one educational system to another may not be straight, but possible, and it is up to the
student to take advantage and apply themselves accordingly,” the SSSD officials noted.
The “My PBL, PKL and TKL Education and Beyond” workshop will highlight both opportunities to
study in English as well as in Dutch. Students are encouraged to register in advance for the workshop so an
invitation can be emailed to them. Students can also click “Join” on the link on the Student Support Services
Facebook page. If parents or students have any questions on these workshops, they can contact the Student
Ministry of
Education, Culture, Youth & Sport
STUDENT SUPPORT SERVICES
DIVISION (SSSD)
Gatspy Building
D.A. Peterson Street #3
Philipsburg
St. Maarten
T: +1721 543-1235
F: +1721 542-0040
E: studentsupportservices@sintmaartengov.org
W: http://www.sintmaartengov.org
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Support Services Division at telephone 543-1235 or studentsupportservices@sintmaartengov.org for more
information.
The Student Support Services Division (SSSD) provides services to students referred by the schools
such as psychological services, counseling services, social work services, educational diagnostic services,
speech language pathology services. SSSD also provides general services such as career services for students,
parent sessions and crisis response.