Island Government of Saba

Subject: Office World donates to Sacred Heart School

January 20, 2010 (SGIS) – The Bottom, Saba:

On Wednesday, President of Office World, Prakash V. Daryanani, paid visit to the Sacred Heart School. Office World came over to donate 24 chair and table sets to the school. Mr. Daryanani stated that similar projects on part of Office World have been carried out on other islands, such as Eustatius.

“2009 is the 20^th anniversary in Sint Maarten for Office World”, stated Daryanani. It is their intention to celebrate by choosing to order desks and chairs to distribute to neighboring island schools. Daryanani elicited the importance of encouraging education among youth and how they feel it is important to future generations in their education.

The need for desks and chairs at the Sacred Heart School was not known to Office World previously. Saba Police Inspector Wendell Thode took up correspondence with Office World and made them aware of the issue and asked if they would assist with donations. “Mr. Thode was instrumental in this process”, stated Mr. Daryanani.

Office World told GIS that they hope to have some more projects during 2010 on a smaller scale to assist the education sector on Saba.

Source: Saba Government Information Services – gis@sabagov.com

Photo caption: Wendell Thode, Lynn Johnson, Prakash Daryanani, Chris Johnson, Olga Simmons, Diane Wilson (Left to Right)

Education & Youth, General

Subject: Versteek pays final working visit to Saba

September 25, 2009 (SGIS) – The Bottom, Saba:

Recently, Frans Versteek, Director of USONA, along with his colleagues paid a last working visit to Saba. Versteek has been Director of USONA since its inception and has overseen millions of guilders in projects during his tenure. Reginaldo Doran will be replacing him as the new Director of USONA.

A reception and dinner were held at Queens Gardens in which he gave a speech about his experiences on the Island of Saba. Versteek stated that he enjoyed Saba as being very different from the rest of the Dutch Kingdom. He went on to say that he had a lot of respect for those who have built up this small Island. Lieutenant Governor Jonathan Johnson thanked Mr. Versteek for his service and presented him with a framed photograph of Saba.

During the reception Commissioner of Education Chris Johnson and Mr. Versteek signed the financing agreement for the building of vocational classrooms as well as bus parking garage. This facility will be located next to the secondary school in St. Johns. The amount is approximately 1.25 million guilders which will include the construction, drafting of plans, and supervision.

Commissioner Johnson emphasized that “the lack of a solid technical stream has proven to be a weakness in the level of secondary education on Saba”. Johnson went on to say that, “The last ten years on Saba the schools have moved away from vocational training and are concentrating on academics. This has caused a trickledown effect to the labor market where it is often difficult to find locally trained workers”.

Source: Saba Government Information Services – gis@sabagov.com

Photo caption: Lt. Governor Johnson, Treasure of USONA Luc Steenhorst, Presiden t of USONA Frans Versteek, Commissioner Chris Johnson, Future President of USONA Reginaldo Doran.

Education & Youth, General

Hemmie van Xanten, Bruce Zagers, & Roy Smith

Subject:   Donated books a sign of Holland’s commitment to Education

Monday, August 24, 2009 (SGIS):

Early Monday morning, assembly was called at the Saba Comprehensive School to make an important announcement.  The much anticipated books that were backlogged for years has finally been delivered to the SCS.  Director of the SCS, Ms. Elka Charles, led the assembly in prayer and described the books as a “small grain of sand in a much larger bucket”; being that it is a sign of Holland’s commitment to Education. 

Mr. Hemmie van Xanten, Kwartiermaker for Education on Saba, took over with a personal speech followed by the reading of a letter from the Minister of Education in the Netherlands, Mr. Plasterk.  The books were donated from the Ministry of Education to be used by the Saba Comprehensive School.

The books were then officially handed over to Commissioner Bruce Zagers, as representative of the Island Government of Saba.  Mr. Zagers stated that he was looking forward to these books being used by the students.  Zagers then presented the books to the Saba Education Foundation representative, Chairman Mr. Roy Smith.  Smith recognized the importance of crucial learning materials and asked the students to cherish these new gifts. 

Source: Saba Government Information Services – gis@sabagov.com

Photo caption: Hemmie van Xanten, Bruce Zagers, & Roy Smith

Education & Youth, General

Subject: Island Council gets yearly update from local schools

June 16, 2009 (SGIS) – The Bottom, Saba:

Last week, the Island Council of Saba visited each of the schools to meet with the Directors and get a summarized report on the 2008/2009 year-end. Each Director expressed their views and concerns about the transition and their new relationships with the Dutch. Some areas that were discussed were the Dutch inspection teams, standardized testing, and the language of instruction.

These meetings gave the Island Council the opportunity to meet with the two schools for a yearly report, which is typically only performed with the Commissioner of Education. Both Directors showed concern about their new relationship with the Dutch Ministry of Education, but assured the Island Council that they are preparing to face any new challenges in the upcoming school year.

Source: Saba Government Information Services – gis@sabagov.com

Photo caption: Act. Island Secretary Raquel Granger, Akilah Levenstone, Director of SHS Diane Wilson, Comm. Chris Johnson, Rolando Wilson, Comm. Bruce Zagers

Education & Youth, General

Lynn Johnson, Chris Johnson, Margaret Childs

Subject:  Sacred Heart School Board takes responsibility of Daycare Center

Tuesday, March 31^st, 2009 – The Bottom:

As of April 1^st, 2009, the Sacred Heart School Board will be taking over responsibility of the local daycare center in The Bottom.  Since October 1^st, 2008, the Island Government of Saba has been responsible for financial restructuring and providing sound financial management to the Laura Linzey Daycare Center. 

Commissioner of Education, Chris Johnson told GIS that he is satisfied with the fact that this move will bring the Daycare center under the guidance of the Education Department.  This will legitimize the center and bring it within the education structure.

Johnson went on to explain that, “at this time of transition it is very important that all education facilities receive proper supervision and management in order to further develop Education as a pillar in our society”

Being a legitimate and well-functioning Board, the Sacred Heart School Board will be able to provide effective management and daily operations of the Daycare Center.   President of the Sacred Heart School Board, Lynn Johnson, welcomed Director of the Daycare, Margaret Childs, and both have made it clear that they look forward to working together in the near future.

The Sacred Heart School Board made it officially known that the daycare center will now be called the “Sacred Heart Early Childhood Center”.  The structure in which the center is housed will still be referred to as the Laura Linzey building.

Source: Saba Government Information Services

Education & Youth, General

Subject: BES discuss Education with Dutch Ministry

March 24, 2009 (SGIS) – The Bottom, Saba:

Last week, delegations from the three BES islands (Bonaire, Eustatius, & Saba) travelled to the Netherlands to have direct talks with the Dutch Ministry of Education, Culture, and Science.  As one of the four pillars of society, Education would play a crucial role of raising the overall level of the BES islands.  The Dutch ministry of Education felt that, as opposed to a two-hour slot during BES week to handle issues, it would dedicate a few days to deeply investigate topics.

The topics that were discussed during the week were secondary education, technical education, Department of teachers, study financing, primary education, media/libraries, early childhood care, as well as issues concerning culture and archives.

During the meetings the BES delegations were split into different groups to discuss specific topics.  Commissioner of Education, Chris Johnson emphasized that civil servants of the Dutch Ministry took a hands-on approach to dealing with the respective delegations.

“The BES islands exist as a legal form, but it is important for the Dutch civil servants to realize that each of the BES is becoming part of Holland.  Therefore one on one negotiations are essential to a proper development of each individual island”, stated Johnson.

The subject of study financing was touched on and note was taken that it would closely resemble our current system.  The current system allows students to study within the United States and this will not change. 

During the trip, the Saba delegation was able to hand in specific requests for materials, school transportation, and teacher recruitment packages directly to the representatives in Holland.  One very positive note was taken that the primary school on saba was declared to be equivalent to that of a primary school in Holland.

Source: Saba Government Information Services – gis@sabagov.com

Education & Youth, General

Lipscomb Group 2009

Subject: Lipscomb has annual Saba trip

March 24, 2009 (SGIS) – The Bottom, Saba:

Last week, Lipscomb kicked off their seventh annual trip to Saba.  Lipscomb have been coming her efrom Tennessee since 2003.  Their yearly arrival is highly anticipated by the children and schools on Saba.  This year’s theme is Dreams and teaching kids how to achieve their own dreams.  All their events surround core values such as family, religion, love, community, and public service.

The events featured this year was Father/Sons dominos tournament, Mother/Daughter banquet, Teacher appreciation day, Government appreciation day, Fitness walks, and Saba Stomp.  Saba Stomp is the annual Friday night concert showcasing the primary school children in a song and dance in the Carnival village.

On Government appreciation day, the children visited the administration building and handed out gift baskets, while the children thanked civil servants for their work.  Commissioner Bruce Zagers stated, “I as well as the rest of the island look forward to Lipscomb every year.  It’s great to see the children, teachers, and community come together to share in positive events all week.”  Zagers went on elicit his thanks to the Lipscomb group for their annual dedication to Saba and its community.

Lipscomb group coordinator Michael Thomas told GIS, “We work all year long for our trip to Saba and look forward to it as much as the kids.  We also have hopes that these type of events will become contagious to the community.”  Currently, Lipscomb now has trips going to Eustatius and Nevis with Saba being its founding Island to spread their message.

Source: Saba Government Information Services – gis@sabagov.com

Education & Youth, General

Governor Johnson with his form 5 students

Subject: Comprehensive School Honors Lt. Governor

March 3, 2009 (SGIS) – The Bottom, Saba:

This Tuesday, the Saba Comprehensive School honored Lieutenant Governor Jonathan Johnson for his previous years served as an educator on the Island.  The event started at 11:00AM where Lt. Governor Johnson was surprised to find a gymnasium filled with former colleagues and students of the Comprehensive School.  Johnson served SCS from 2003 to 2008, first as the Interim Functionary followed by the Director.

Several students and speakers came up to the podium to pay tribute to the time served by Mr. Johnson.  During this time, the Governor was treated to singing, a play, poetry, and a skit from our local drum band, as well as speeches.  The students of the comprehensive school and the staff awarded gifts to the Governor as farewell mementos and honoring on his current position.

After taking the podium himself, Mr. Johnson was humbled by turnout for this surprise ceremony held in his honor.  Governor Johnson said that he was able to feel the sincere appreciation from the room.

The event ended at 1:00 with the drum band leading everyone out to their cars and on to the next location.  The ceremony was followed by a private lunch held at the Eugenius Center for the Governor, his family, and former colleagues.

Source: Saba Government Information Services – gis@sabagov.com

Education & Youth, General

February 20, 2009 (SGIS) – The Bottom, Saba:

This week Director General of Education, Mr Renk Roborgh, paid a working visit to the Island Territory of Saba.  After his first meeting with the Executive Council, he made his way to a meeting with the new Head of Department of Education, Mr Hemmie van Xanten.  Later on, Roborgh also met with representatives from both school boards of the Saba Comprehensive School and Sacred Heart School.

Several discussions were brought forward, one of them being the reports that were issued by the Dutch inspectors who visited in October 2008.  There was also discussion of the reports from the Dutch Ministry of housing as well as a report on the Educational Infrastructure of the Island.

One of the main topics covered was the monies that were allocated to the BES Islands for 2009/2010 and how this will be further allocated to the schools.  

During the meetings it was mentioned that Commissioner of Education, Chris Johnson, would lead a delegation to Holland in mid-march to have 3-days worth of meetings with the Dutch Ministry of Education, along with the other BES representatives.

A solid agreement that come out of the meeting was that four short-term needs would be proposed before mid-march and presented to the Ministry by the Saban delegation.  These short-term needs include: Materials for SHS, Materials for SCS, Recruitment packages for teachers, and new school busses.

Commissioner Johnson was happy to see the interaction between the school boards and the Ministry.  The open nature of the Dutch officials is extremely positive and he can see that the ministry is very interested in relying heavily on local input rather than just enforcing a particular education system.

Source: Saba Government Information Services – gis@sabagov.com

Education & Youth, General

(Back Row Left to Right) Chris Johnson, Andre Rouvoet, Margaret Childs, Jonathan Johnson together with children from Laura Linzey Daycare.

February 6, 2009 (SGIS) – The Bottom, Saba:

Minister of Youth and Family Affairs, Mr. Andre Rouvoet arrived on Saba by private charter on Thursday.  The following day Friday, the Minister paid a working visit and was hands-on with the facilities that are provided on Saba.

Commissioner of Youth Affairs, Chris Johnson, was very pleased with the Ministers visit.  Johnson stated, that the talks between the Executive Council and the Minister were very open and extremely productive.  The Commissioner addressed concerns that the people of the BES islands need to start seeing the results of all the deliberations in the past.  People have heard for about the trajectory items such as legal issues.  The timeline in 2009/2010 should present tangible results.

The Minister visited the Laura Linzey Daycare Center in The Bottom and was greeted by Director Margaret Childs.  He was given a full tour of the facilities and was able to have some hands-on interaction with some of Saba’s youngest.

The delegation proceeded on an Island tour accompanied by Lt. Governor Johnson.  Following the tour, the Minister was taken to the Sacred Heart Primary school and was given a tour of the premises as well as an explanation of Saba’s primary school system. 

After this, he was invited to an open discussion with the board from Child Focus.  Discussions surrounded in the meeting were based on “What areas could the ministry of youth and family help existing institutions?”.  The island hopes for assistance with upgrading of existing facilities.

The Minister concluded with a luncheon at Eden restaurant and made sure to invite members of the community who work in the fields of youth and family – which also included health care and the schools.

Rouvoet stated that he hasn’t been on Saba in five years and it was a pleasure to be in such a beautiful part of the Kingdom.

Source: Saba Government Information Services – gis@sabagov.com

Education & Youth, General