Digital Crisis in Sint Maarten’s Schools—Are Teachers Falling Behind?

Exploring Sint Maarten Primary School Teachers’ Attitudes and Capabilities in Integrating ICT for Lifelong Learning

Author: Schoemaker

Date: 2023

View research paper here

The State of ICT in Sint Maarten’s Primary Schools

Sint Maarten’s schools are grappling with severe ICT challenges, with 75% of classrooms lacking reliable access to the internet or up-to-date technology. This summary highlights key insights and quotes from teachers who express the need for improved infrastructure, better training, and a curriculum update.

Inadequate InfrastructureSchools face serious limitations with unreliable internet and outdated devices, making effective ICT integration difficult and frustrating.

“Eight teachers described that they suffer from poor Internet connectivity… Seven teachers mention that they suffer from a lack of functioning devices”.

Many teachers find themselves unable to provide students with basic digital learning tools, which limits student engagement and lesson effectiveness.

“We don’t have a device for everyone, so students often have to take turns, which disrupts learning”.

Teachers Need More Training Although teachers value ICT, they often feel undertrained, with few opportunities for practical, hands-on experience that would make them confident in using technology.

“Some of us are just learning by doing because there isn’t a lot of hands-on training available” 

This lack of structured professional development leaves teachers navigating technology integration on their own, resulting in uneven ICT use across classrooms.

Curriculum Challenges and Policy GapsThe current ICT curriculum is outdated, and there’s a lack of supportive policies that align with classroom realities, leaving teachers feeling unsupported.

“Our curriculum still has us teaching about floppy disks… it’s out of touch with what students actually need today”

Without a clear policy framework, teachers often struggle to adopt best practices for ICT, leading to inconsistent experiences for students.

Solution Recommendations

1. Infrastructure Investment: Prioritizing stable internet and updated devices in classrooms is crucial for aligning with current educational needs.

2. Ongoing Training Programs: Continuous, hands-on professional development programs would help bridge the ICT knowledge gap for teachers.

3. Updated Curriculum and Policy Support: Developing a relevant ICT-focused curriculum and policy framework would provide structure and support for teachers, helping students gain practical skills for the digital age.

Why This Matters Now

The Digital Crisis: The world is rapidly advancing into the digital age, and if the gap in ICT integration continues, many students in Sint Maarten will fall behind. Teacher training programs and curriculum reforms are vital to prepare the next generation for a technology-driven future.