Caribbean News
Trust Fund Assessments of Primary School Children Highlights Opportunities for Government Sint Maarten to Strengthen Education
Philipsburg, Sint Maarten, October 16th, 2024 – The National Recovery Program Bureau (NRPB) recently presented the results of assessments of primary school students to stakeholders as part of ongoing educational consultations. The Early Grade Reading Assessment (EGRA) and Early Grade Mathematics Assessment (EGMA), conducted over the past year, have given the Government of Sint Maarten insights into pupils’ reading and math skills across the island. These consultations are part of the Trust Fund’s Fostering Resilient Learning Project (FRLP), which aims to help restore and strengthen the island’s education system following the damage caused by Hurricane Irma and disruptions from the COVID-19 pandemic. The project is implemented by the NRPB on behalf of the Government of Sint Maarten, in collaboration with the Ministry of Education, Culture, Youth, and Sport (MECYS). While the FRLP mainly focuses on repairing the Charles Leopold Bell School, Sister Marie Laurence School and the Sint Maarten Jubilee Library, the assessments offer further opportunities to improve literacy and numeracy for children in these restored learning environments.
Education, Culture, Youth and Sport Minister Lyndon Lewis stated that the government is committed to using the data from the assessments to shape the future of early education in Sint Maarten, “The EGMA and EGRA assessments provide us with an invaluable snapshot of where our students are today and where we need to focus our efforts. With this data, we are better equipped to tailor our education strategies to meet the needs of every child in Sint Maarten. By investing in teacher training, enhancing the curriculum, and supporting students at home and in the classroom, we are committed to ensuring that every child has the tools they need to thrive academically and in life.” 
Group three (Grade one) pupils typically aged seven to eight from 17 primary schools across Sint Maarten made up the study; The assessments tested children’s proficiency in Math, Reading, Comprehension, and Dutch. EGMA tests focused on skills like number identification, addition, subtraction, and problem-solving. EGRA assessments evaluated letter and word recognition, reading comprehension and understanding of phonemes. Results were categorized into three levels: mastery, developing, and emerging. Students at the mastery level demonstrated a strong understanding of concepts and skills, and showed they were ready for advanced challenges. The developing group had some knowledge but needed support to reach mastery while students in the emerging category were in the early stages of acquiring the necessary skills for their grade level and would benefit from re-teaching and practice.
The assessments indicated that many students were below the mastery benchmarks, instead falling into the developing and emerging categories. For example, only 6% of pupils achieved mastery in oral reading fluency; the benchmark is 50+%, while 11% reached mastery in numeracy based on their addition speed; the benchmark is 56+%. However, data varied by school, with some schools reporting more than 80% of pupils had mastery in literacy whilst other schools had scores as low as 36%. The report also showed that student performance was affected by teaching methods and support at home. Teachers who used a mix of teaching styles, explained lesson goals clearly, and reviewed lessons often saw better results. More than half the students said they had little or no help with homework and family income also played a role in learning outcomes. Additionally, the assessments found close to three-quarters of students used tablets, suggesting that technology could be a tool to improve learning.
Sidonia Lacorbiniere-Hodge, ECYS Department Head of Education stated, “This marks a significant milestone for MECYS in assessing student learning within the Primary Education Cycle. This assessment provides valuable insights for school boards, school management and education staff into student performance in Group three in 2023, particularly for this group of students whose education was disrupted by the COVID-19 Pandemic. We look forward to continued collaboration with all partners in utilizing standardized assessment results to inform strategies to meet each student’s developmental needs.”
This long-term commitment to enhancing literacy and numeracy aligns with St. Maarten’s broader educational objectives. Through assessments like EGMA and EGRA, the government aims for the island’s education system to meet the needs of students from an early age. This will ensure they have the foundation needed to succeed academically and beyond. The NRPB is implementing the FRLP project on behalf of the Government of Sint Maarten under the Sint Maarten Trust Fund, which is managed by The World Bank and financed by the Dutch Government.
INSET: EGRA/EGMA results presentation, September 12th at Simpson Bay Resort
Caribbean News
Sandals Resorts and Beaches Resorts celebrate a night of wins, and take home a total of 16 titles at the 32nd Annual World Travel Awards
Providenciales, Turks and Caicos Islands (October 6th, 2025) – CaribCon, the Caribbean conference celebrating culture, innovation, and creativity, will welcome some of the region’s most influential voices to its inaugural edition in the Turks and Caicos Islands. The event, set to be a dynamic gathering of thought leaders and cultural icons, will feature impactful panel discussions, inspiring and intimate fireside chats and a flow of knowledge from some of the Caribbean’s brightest and best in the creative sector.
Elizabeth “Lady” Montano
Jamaica’s own Dr. Terri-Karelle Johnson, celebrated communications specialist, media personality, and global keynote speaker, will headline CaribCon as the official keynote speaker. Known for her ability to connect authentically and inspire audiences worldwide, Dr. Reid will share her insights on Caribbean identity, storytelling, and the power of representation in shaping global narratives. Another highlight of CaribCon will be the presence of Elizabeth “Lady” Montano, mother and former manager of soca superstar Machel Montano. Lady will launch her award-winning book, King of Soca, in which she is positioned as the ultimate insider, chronicling the evolution of one of the Caribbean’s most iconic entertainers. She will also share her invaluable experiences on nurturing talent, building a brand, and sustaining longevity in the competitive music industry in an intimate fireside chat. Adding further star power to the event is Simon Baptiste, CEO of Question Mark Entertainment, co-founder of ODOS, a global collective network spanning over 1000 professionals in 35 countries, film director, talent manager and creative strategist. Baptiste will bring his expertise to conversations on shaping the region’s creative sector and talent.
Simon Baptiste
“CaribCon is where the Caribbean’s voices, ideas, and creativity converge,” says Omega Simmons, founder of CaribCon and CEO of SOS Media. “Having leaders like Terri Karelle, Lady Montano, and Simon Baptiste share their stories and expertise truly embodies the spirit of this event. Their presence reinforces the power of Caribbean culture to inspire and influence on the world stage.” CaribCon will take place at the Shore Club in Providenciales, the Turks and Caicos Islands, from October 23rd to 26th. Attendees can look forward to networking opportunities, panel discussions, and meaningful dialogue to foster an ecosystem that develops the region’s creative sector and propels it onto the global stage.
Sponsors are:
Signature Experience Partners: Ministry of Tourism, Experience Turks and Caicos, and The Shore Club.
Other sponsors: PPID, Invest TCI, InterCaribbean Airways, Subtronic Sounds, Spotlight Communications.
Hotel partners: Ocean Club Resorts, Waterloo Hotel Management, The Somerset on Grace Bay and Ports of Call Resort.
For more information, tickets, and updates, visit www.caribcon.co or follow @caribconhq on all social media platforms.
For more information please email: contact@caribcon.co
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