- Nineteen school structures have been repaired and structurally refitted, strengthening resilience to future hurricanes, with support from the Emergency Recovery Project (ERP-I).
- The project involved collaboration with the Ministry of Education, Culture Youth and Sport and school boards to ensure minimal disruption to students' education.
- In addition to rebuilding schools, the project stimulated local businesses, created jobs, and contributed to the broader community's economic and social health.
Creating Safe Spaces to Thrive
Hurricane Irma’s destruction of school buildings left children and families a bit disoriented, since school structures play a vital role in the community, offering numerous benefits beyond serving as a physical space for learning. Schools provide a secure and stable space for children to learn, grow, and develop and attract families and businesses to an area, contributing to local economic development.
The Emergency Recovery Project I (ERP-I ) was one of the first projects approved by the Sint Maarten Trust Fund, in July 2018, to quickly address the most immediate recovery priorities. The National Recovery Program Bureau (NRPB) implements the project. The Ministry of Education, Culture Youth and Sport (MECYS) chose 19 schools for repairs under the ERP-I to ensure the schools were more hurricane-resilient and safe. The repair works began in 2021, and schools were divided into batches, prioritizing repairs based on urgency and how easily students could be temporarily relocated during construction. The reconstruction focused on repairs to roofs, doors, and windows, as well as mold remediation, electrical work, plumbing, and the installation of hurricane shutters.
“What I appreciated was the hurricane shutters and the sturdiness of the hurricane doors. The idea is to protect the children during heavy rains and preserve school property when the children go on vacation.”
— Oralie Boirard, Acting Head, Division for Educational Innovation, Ministry of Education, Culture, Youth and Sport
Tailored Care to Tackle Challenges
The project collaborated with each school board and management team to handle the logistical challenges of relocating students and ensuring minimal disruptions to their education. For example, during the repair works, the Sister Regina Primary School in Simpson Bay implemented a logistics plan to minimize interruption to students’ learning. The school used parts of the campus not under construction and the adjacent Simpson Bay Community Center. Access to the construction zones and contact between students and workers were restricted. The project covered all costs associated with the relocation and move back to the upgraded building.
Though efforts to repair and rebuild schools were slow, all 19 schools have now been fully repaired and officially handed over to their respective school boards. After completion, the NRPB, project managers, and contractors continued to engage with the schools to address any issues during the liability period. This ongoing support is part of the commitment to sustainability, to ensure the schools stay durable and functional for years to come.
Big Wins for the Greater Community
The project had another added benefit: it created job opportunities and stimulated local economic activity in the greater community. Small businesses supplying materials or providing services thrived, contributing to the overall economic health of Sint Maarten. The school repair initiative demonstrates that investment in educational infrastructure is an investment in the community.
In Sint Maarten, the story of school repairs is not just about bricks and mortar; it is about the heart of the community—the students, teachers, and families who make it vibrant and resilient.