Expectations are high for today’s start of the 2017-2018 school year, as tomorrow’s adults of St. Maarten hit the books again. There has been much talk of late about plans to change certain things in the local education system, but for the moment teachers and students alike will simply have to function in today’s reality.
That means making do with what’s actually available in terms of facilities, materials and other resources. Schools have undoubtedly been doing a great job in that regard, but this is no reason to stop striving for improvement, because what is good always can get better.
Quality educators with the proper learning tools remain essential, as is active support from parents in dealing with their children. There’s also some worthwhile advice in today’s paper about nutrition, which can play a major role in the learning process.
One could add to that physical fitness and exercise. A healthy body helps create a good mind-set and while academics obviously have priority, this aspect should not be taken lightly.
But perhaps the most important factor is motivation among pupils themselves, fuelled by the knowledge that time now spent paying keen attention in the classroom and studying at home will to a great extent determine their success. Make no mistake; you are the one with the most influence in shaping your destiny.
