January 25, 2024
By Ria Uiterloo and Stichting EGO
Foundation Catholic Education St. Maarten (FCES) is set to unveil a groundbreaking initiative aimed at enhancing the overall well-being of students. This comprehensive project, initiated and sponsored by the Stichting Expertise Centrum Ervaringsgericht Onderwijs (Stichting EGO), focuses on the implementation of a new student tracking system through the BLOC test [1] and the commencement of a lifestyle intervention survey.
Let’s delve into the details of this exciting venture and its potential impact on the development of children on the island.
The initiative is part of Stichting EGO’s larger Project Healthy Schools and Communities, subsidized by Resources for Community Resilience (R4CR). The selection of the Sr. Regina School as the flagship institution for our groundbreaking project is a strategic move aimed at catalyzing positive change beyond the school’s immediate boundaries. Spearheaded by Mr. Juriaan Otto, the project coordinator, this initiative extends far beyond routine data collection and lifestyle intervention surveys. Recognizing the importance of obtaining a comprehensive understanding of the physical and mental health landscape of St. Maarten’s youth, we have made a deliberate choice to broaden our target group.
In consultations with FCES, the decision to include approximately 1200 children from all Catholic schools on the island in the study was reached. This expansive target group enhances the richness of the research, allowing us to paint a more nuanced and accurate picture of the prevailing situation on St. Maarten. By casting a wider net, we seek to obtain valuable insights that go beyond the confines of a single school, fostering a holistic understanding of the challenges faced by our island’s youth.
Furthermore, the decision to encompass the entire Catholic school community aligns with our commitment to regional collaboration and comparison. With a broader scope, we can effectively assess and compare our findings with other Dutch Caribbean islands, gaining valuable insights into shared challenges and potential collective solutions.
In essence, while the Sr. Regina School serves as the vanguard for this transformative project, our decision to include a larger target group is driven by the desire for a more impactful and far-reaching outcome. By casting our research net wider, we aim to contribute not only to the well-being of our immediate community but also to the broader context of child development in the region.
Recognizing the paramount importance of children’s development, both academically and socially, the foundation and Stichting EGO aim to provide an environment that fosters not only academic excellence but also social and emotional growth. The project responds to alarming trends, including motor skill deficiencies and physical coordination impairments in children, often linked to insufficient play and exercise. The consequences of these trends include type 2 diabetes, motor skill delays, and mental health issues.
The project involves two primary studies conducted in collaboration with the University of Arnhem and Nijmegen and the Mulier Institute in the Netherlands.
In partnership with the University of Arnhem and Nijmegen, the foundation introduces the BLOC test as a valuable tool to monitor and promote students’ motor development. This student tracking system involves structured annual testing on four essential motor components. Through consistent BLOC test usage, the foundation aims to monitor progress and apply targeted interventions based on individual needs. The test not only identifies areas of improvement but also encourages and challenges students to further develop their motor skills.
The foundation is also conducting a lifestyle intervention survey to gather comprehensive data on students’ habits, activities, and overall well-being. This survey is not limited to St. Maarten; it includes data collection on Statia, Saba, and Bonaire, allowing for regional comparisons.
The project of Stichting EGO unfolds in three key phases:
- Collecting Data:
The Catholic schools will participate in physical tests and surveys, providing valuable insights into the health and well-being of students. Comparative data from surrounding islands will contribute to a holistic understanding of regional challenges and potential solutions.
- Improving Play Areas:
Recognizing play as a fundamental right for children’s growth and development, the project seeks to enhance play areas in schools. This initiative aligns with global perspectives emphasizing the critical role of play in fostering creativity, imagination, and overall cognitive development.
- Developing Health Improvement Programs:
Building on the collected data, the foundation aims to develop targeted programs to improve the health of children on St. Maarten. This multifaceted approach addresses the need for a comprehensive strategy that encompasses data-driven insights, enhanced play environments, and health-focused interventions.
Expert opinions, such as that of Dutch professor in neuropsychology Erik Scherder [2], who is connected to the Vrije Universiteit (VU Amsterdam) play a pivotal role in emphasizing the direct link between fitness and academic achievement. In a compelling opinion piece, Scherder advocates for increased attention to physical activity during the school day. He argues that fit children perform better in math and language, highlighting the correlation between fitness, cognitive functions, and overall well-being.
Excerpt from Erik Scherder’s Article:
“You may not have missed it: children move too little, spending the whole day at school, at after-school care, and at home behind a screen. While it is crucial for young people to engage in physical activity. Fit children perform better in school. But instead of increasing physical activity, a few years ago, everything suddenly had to focus on math and language because children were performing poorly in those areas…”
Mrs. D’Antoinette Sorton, a local Occupational Therapist, emphasizes the significance of play in a child’s development. According to Sorton, play and recess are not privileges; they are rights and requirements for growth and development. Citing the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, Sorton highlights that play has been recognized as a right of every child.
Sorton’s insights underscore the critical role of play in fostering creativity, imagination, and overall cognitive and emotional strength in children. Her perspective aligns with the project’s focus on improving play areas within schools, acknowledging play as an integral component of social-emotional learning and academic development.
The project spearheaded by Stichting EGO in collaboration with Foundation Catholic Education St. Maarten and other partner institutions, represents a proactive response to the evolving challenges faced by children on the island. By combining data-driven approaches, enhanced play environments, and targeted health programs, the initiative aims to create a holistic framework for the well-being and development of St. Maarten’s youth. As the project unfolds, ongoing updates and insights will be shared on the foundation’s blog page, highlighting the transformative journey toward healthier and more fulfilled student lives.
[1] https://beterlerenbewegen.han.nl/bloc-test
[2] https://www.nederlandse-sportraad.nl/documenten/publicaties/2023/06/24/column-erik-scherder-fitte-kinderen-zijn-beter-in-rekenen-en-taal