OF SINT MAARTEN
GOVERNMENT
SEMPER PRO GREDIENS
Minister Of Education
Minister Of Education
Honorable Minister Patricia LourensEducation:Patricia Lourens has a BA, with honours from the University of the West Indies, 1972 to 1975; a Masters of Arts Candidate in Education, University of the Virgin Islands, 1984 to 1985; a Post Graduate Diploma in Education, University of London, United Kingdom, 1998 to 2000; and a Master’s of Science Candidate, Public Policy and Management, Open University, The Netherlands 2008 to current.Career Highlights:Lourens career starts as a High School Instructor at the Basseterre High School, Federation of St. Kitts & Nevis 1975 to 1979; this was followed by Senior Teacher at FVPT St. Maarten Academy, 1979 to 1986; then Principal of the aforementioned school from 1986 to 2001.Lourens was also a part-time instructor at the University of St. Martin on Western Civilization from 2007 to 2009. Experience (Political Career):Patrcia Lourens currently serves as Minister of Education, Culture, and Youth & Sports for the Government of Sint Maarten and was appointed as a “professional minister.”Prior to taking up this post, Lourens served as Division Head of the Division for Educational Research, Planning & Innovation, a position she held since 2001 until her appointment.Interests:Patricia Lourens interests lie in Anthropology, seeking a course in the subject and love to travel, enjoys music and reading. Besides this, Lourens is also collecting material to write a book, “Identity and Democracy in St. Maarten.”Lourens is also busy with conducting life coaching and marriage counseling sessions and has interest in Politics and Social Development.
Ministry of Education, Culture, Youth & Sports Affairs
1. Responsible for policy, laws and regulations with reference to education , and the monitoring of the execution of the above;
2. Taking care of policy, laws and regulations related to educational renewing and monitoring its execution;
3. Taking care of information campaigns and disseminating information concerning policy, laws and regulations with reference to educational matters;
4. Promoting, executing and the directing of policy supported qualitative and quantitative research and planning activities related to educational matters;
5. Promoting, executing and the directing of research in education;
6. The development and implementation of policy and procedures related to developments in the area of educational support;
7. The furthering and coordinating of the affairs of St. Maarten related to education with kingdom, regional and international connections;
8. Advising government over the allocation of resources on the basis of research, progress reports and the prognosis of the programme organizations;
9. Responsible for the strengthening of policies related to the continued improvement and of the quality and quantity of the human resources of St. Maarten.
10. Responsible for policy, laws and regulations related to study financing, as well as overseeing the implementation of these;
11. Responsible for policy, laws and regulations related to quality control, as well as overseeing the implementation of these;
12. Responsible for policy, laws and regulations related to student care, as well as overseeing the implementation of these;
13. Responsible for policy, laws and regulations related to examinations, as well as overseeing the implementation of these;
14. Responsible for carrying our policies related to UNESCO’s affairs in the area of education, as well as overseeing the implementation of these;
15. Promoting the welfare of all members of the society through education; 16. Promoting the principle of equality through education;
Study Financing Division
Objectives:
1. To provide study financing, information and support for those following training at MBO/SBO, HBO and WO levels on St. Maarten, the Netherlands as well as the promotion of studies in the United States, the region and other places.
2. In a dynamic, innovative and client-friendly manner, provide information, support and financing to give citizens of St. Maarten who meet the criteria the opportunity to develop professionally;
3. To play a role in the personal development of the citizens of St. Maarten and to assist in creating opportunities for a better future for individuals and the community at large.
Student Support Division
Objectives:
1. To Providing care support to students and student support service for their effective development.
Examinations Division
Objectives:
1. The development of tests and examinations that are valid and reliable for education on St. Maarten.
Inspection OCJS Division
Objectives:
1. To supervise (control and inspect) in an efficient and effective manner the working of the laws and regulations as well as the policies in the area of education;
2. The promotion of education on St. Maarten to ensure that it is in compliance with internationally established norms and regulations;
3. To supervise (control and inspect) in an efficient and effective manner the working of the laws and regulations as well as the policies in the area of culture, youth and sports;