Education Minister Wycliffe Smith presenting former Education Minister Jorien Wuite with gifts of appreciation on Thursday.
PHILIPSBURG–The Ministry of Education, Culture, Youth and Sports (ECYS) gathered on Thursday to give words of welcome to their new minister, Wycliffe Smith, and to say farewell to former ECYS minister/newly-appointed Minister Plenipotentiary Jorien Wuite.
Wuite had been functioning as caretaker for this ministry for the past five months, before which she had been its secretary-general since 2014.
Smith commended Wuite as being solution-oriented. He said, “Out of chaos and out of problems, she was able to find solutions.” The two had worked together recently to resolve the crisis at University of St. Martin, to which the government responded with much-needed assistance and plans to legislate higher education.
Representatives of all departments of the ministry gave words of thanks and tokens of appreciation to Wuite.
Department of Education head Sidonia Lacorbiniere-Hodge thanked Wuite for her leadership and direction.
Department of Culture head Clara Reyes expressed her appreciation for the minister who had welcomed her to her new post with assurance and compassion. According to Reyes, “Holland’s gain is our loss.”
Department of Sports head Jonelle Richardson noted that Wuite was indeed a hard worker, dedicated to seeing the plans for sports development on the island be written in policy and put to action.
Department of Youth Affairs acting head Elmora Pantophlet-Aventurin expressed her gratitude for Wuite’s leadership.
Public Education Division head Glenderlin Davis-Holiday blessed Wuite with the serenity prayer and acting secretary-general Shermina Powell-Richardson prayed for her strength to continue the good work in her new post in Holland.
All were grateful for the friendly atmosphere that Wuite fostered in the workplace and among the staff.
Wuite replied with appreciation for all the sentiments expressed. She said she was thankful for the opportunity to partner with a team of hard-working people looked forward to her new role as Minister Plenipotentiary.
“You have a partner in the Netherlands to advocate for Sint Maarten and in particular education,” she told the gathering. As caretaker minister, she acknowledged that she had put extra pressure on the staff to get many of the plans within the departments going in the short term.
In preparation for the transition to the new ministry, having been secretary-general and a civil servant for 20 years, she said she understood the importance of continuity, cooperation, and the transfer of information between governments.
Wuite admonished the gathering that the public wants a change and wants to see things moving. She addressed each department personally and encouraged the heads to continue to work together and persevere to do their best.
In facilitating the transition for Smith, Wuite said she hopes the ministry will use the opportunity to take a multi-annual perspective and programme projection. She implored the ministry to highlight creative industry and culture. She emphasised the need for sports on the island, pledging her continued support for the movement #SPORTSMATTERS.
“If I had the chance to do it over again, the area of sports would be my focus. … Sports deserves the attention to move forward strategically,” she said.
Education Minister Wycliffe Smith presenting former Education Minister Jorien Wuite with gifts of appreciation on Thursday.
Wuite gets farewell
from former ministry
PHILIPSBURG–The Ministry of Education, Culture, Youth and Sports (ECYS) gathered on Thursday to give words of welcome to their new minister, Wycliffe Smith, and to say farewell to former ECYS minister/newly-appointed Minister Plenipotentiary Jorien Wuite.
Wuite had been functioning as caretaker for this ministry for the past five months, before which she had been its secretary-general since 2014.
Smith commended Wuite as being solution-oriented. He said, “Out of chaos and out of problems, she was able to find solutions.” The two had worked together recently to resolve the crisis at University of St. Martin, to which the government responded with much-needed assistance and plans to legislate higher education.
Representatives of all departments of the ministry gave words of thanks and tokens of appreciation to Wuite.
Department of Education head Sidonia Lacorbiniere-Hodge thanked Wuite for her leadership and direction.
Department of Culture head Clara Reyes expressed her appreciation for the minister who had welcomed her to her new post with assurance and compassion. According to Reyes, “Holland’s gain is our loss.”
Department of Sports head Jonelle Richardson noted that Wuite was indeed a hard worker, dedicated to seeing the plans for sports development on the island be written in policy and put to action.
Department of Youth Affairs acting head Elmora Pantophlet-Aventurin expressed her gratitude for Wuite’s leadership.
Public Education Division head Glenderlin Davis-Holiday blessed Wuite with the serenity prayer and acting secretary-general Shermina Powell-Richardson prayed for her strength to continue the good work in her new post in Holland.
All were grateful for the friendly atmosphere that Wuite fostered in the workplace and among the staff.
Wuite replied with appreciation for all the sentiments expressed. She said she was thankful for the opportunity to partner with a team of hard-working people looked forward to her new role as Minister Plenipotentiary.
“You have a partner in the Netherlands to advocate for Sint Maarten and in particular education,” she told the gathering. As caretaker minister, she acknowledged that she had put extra pressure on the staff to get many of the plans within the departments going in the short term.
In preparation for the transition to the new ministry, having been secretary-general and a civil servant for 20 years, she said she understood the importance of continuity, cooperation, and the transfer of information between governments.
Wuite admonished the gathering that the public wants a change and wants to see things moving. She addressed each department personally and encouraged the heads to continue to work together and persevere to do their best.
In facilitating the transition for Smith, Wuite said she hopes the ministry will use the opportunity to take a multi-annual perspective and programme projection. She implored the ministry to highlight creative industry and culture. She emphasised the need for sports on the island, pledging her continued support for the movement #SPORTSMATTERS.
“If I had the chance to do it over again, the area of sports would be my focus. … Sports deserves the attention to move forward strategically,” she said.
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