Education, Drive & Motivation in Sint Maarten
- Sakir de Castro
- Nov 5, 2024
- 2 min read
TL;DR Summary of “Secondary Vocational Education and Academic Motivation in Sint Maarten”
Background In Sint Maarten, secondary education is split between academic and vocational paths. This study focuses on the motivation of vocational students in the Preparatory Secondary Vocational Education (PSVE) and Dutch Voorbereidend Secundair Beroeps Onderwijs (VSBO) programs. Vocational tracks often suffer from stigmas, being labeled as “the lowest,” which affects student motivation and self-esteem.
Key Findings
Motivation Types: Among 98 students surveyed, extrinsic motivation (e.g., securing future jobs) was the highest, while intrinsic motivation (personal satisfaction from learning) was lower. Some students expressed feeling forced to attend school mainly for future benefits.
Career Fair Impact: The study looked at the effect of the Sint Maarten Annual Career & Study Fair. Results showed no significant difference in motivation between those who attended and those who didn’t. However, fair attendees noted some benefits, like increased job knowledge and networking opportunities, even if it didn’t directly boost their academic motivation.
Stigmas and Challenges: Social stigmas about vocational tracks, like associations with violence or being “less capable,” heavily impacted students. Some internalized these negative views, while others rejected them, seeing the value in hands-on skills for their career paths.
Recommendations for Improvement
Increase Career Fair Accessibility: Low attendance (10%) was largely due to lack of awareness or transportation. Improved promotion and logistics could make future fairs more impactful.
Enhance Intrinsic Motivation: Schools could introduce more electives and extracurriculars tailored to student interests (like cooking or arts), potentially increasing intrinsic motivation.
Reduce Stigmas: Addressing public perceptions of vocational tracks could help reduce students’ self-doubt and negative attitudes, improving motivation and career outlook.
Conclusion Overall, while the study shows vocational students in Sint Maarten have high extrinsic motivation, intrinsic motivation remains low, partly due to stigmas and limited educational options. Structural improvements in vocational education could boost students' self-worth, satisfaction, and motivation.
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