SINT MAARTEN (GREAT BAY) - Minister of Education, Culture, Youth & Sport (ECYS) Melissa D. Gumbs provided a semi-comprehensive update of the state of affairs within the Ministry itself.
“I say ‘semi-comprehensive’ because of course, I have not yet met with all stakeholders,” Gumbs explained. “With the planned start of the handling of the 2025 budget, time has been of the essence and our assessment of where the ministry stands in several key areas is ongoing.”
Gumbs has been meeting with department and division heads within the Ministry, gathering information on their respective state of affairs and building out a priority list from what is shared.
“The Ministry of Education, Culture, Youth and Sport (ECYS), under the leadership of Minister Melissa Gumbs, has made significant strides in addressing the backlog of advice documents related to study financing. Recognizing the importance of resolving these pending decisions, the Minister and her team prioritized the review and finalization of study financing advice documents to ensure the statistical accuracy of active study finance recipients.
Minister Gumbs emphasized the critical role this effort plays in providing an accurate overview of study financing. “Clearing the backlog of study financing decisions not only ensures transparency and accountability but also provides the Ministry and the country with a clearer picture of the number of students currently benefiting from study financing. This data is essential for effective planning and resource allocation,” said Minister Gumbs.
The Ministry also reminds all study financing recipients of their obligation to remain compliant with program requirements. Students must submit their grades and demonstrate progress in their degree programs to continue receiving financial support.
Minister Gumbs underscored the importance of compliance, stating, “It is vital for students receiving study financing to fulfill the requirements of the program. Staying compliant ensures that support reaches those who are committed to their academic and professional success.”
The Minister encourages all study financing recipients to maintain open communication with the Division of Study Financing to address any challenges they may face and to ensure a seamless process.
“As we continue to support our students, I wish them the very best in their educational and professional journeys,” Minister Gumbs concluded.
For further inquiries, please contact the Division of Study Financing at info@studyfinancing-sxm.com
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