Appointed vice-rector and head of the National Education services for Saint-Martin and Saint-Barthélemy since July 1st, Nicole Noilhetas presented on Friday the main guidelines that will direct her actions until 2030. During her first press conference, “very well supported” by her deputy Evelyne Fleming, she unveiled a roadmap structured around three priorities: secure, organize and plan.
After a career path she describes as “simple,” from teaching to inspection and then to several management positions in Corsica, Auvergne, and New Caledonia, she asserts that she chose SXM and SBH “with full awareness of the situation.” “I didn’t come here by chance.” While the two communities present different realities, they share, according to her, four common challenges: stabilizing teams, strengthening the attractiveness of positions, developing digital education, and better adapting training programs to local economic needs.
In Saint-Martin, the priorities focus on reducing inequalities, mastering basic skills, multilingualism, the school climate, and combating school dropout. In Saint-Barthélemy, the challenges are more related to continuing studies after the third year of secondary school and access to higher education.
Three priorities for four years
Harry Christophe's successor intends first and foremost to secure students' educational paths, stabilize staff, and guarantee the continuity of public service. She then aims to integrate the numerous initiatives already underway into a coherent strategy before anticipating future needs, particularly regarding the range of educational programs offered. Her ambition is to build "an inclusive, ambitious, and equitable school system" where every student finds their place and can succeed. To achieve this, she specifically wants each school to analyze the results of national assessments more thoroughly in order to adapt teaching practices and teacher training.
Multilingualism, an asset
From the start of the school year, the focus will be on mastering the fundamentals, with priority given to French and mathematics from preschool onward. In our region, Nicole Noilhetas also wants to make multilingualism a key to success: “Forbidding a child from speaking their mother tongue is not the solution.” The goal is to allow students to draw on their native language to gradually acquire French, the language of instruction, and develop an appreciation for languages.
Maintaining bilingual classes
The deputy headmistress also wanted to clarify any ambiguity regarding the bilingual classes. The twelve existing classes, spread across eight schools, will be maintained for the start of the new school year, from kindergarten through fifth grade: “This is in agreement with the head of the Guadeloupe education authority; there is no issue there.” Their operation will, however, be evaluated to assess their results and ensure continuity of learning through to middle school.
While an assessment of existing programs will be conducted this fall to evaluate their effectiveness, the school also aims to develop more initiatives, such as the Émile program, European and international sections, Erasmus, and partnerships with Sint Maarten, Anguilla, and Saint Kitts. Projects supported by UNESCO or the European Union could also be launched.
Preventing school dropout
Another priority is the fight against school dropout among young people aged 16 to 18. For Nicole Noilhetas, it is not just a matter of supporting young people who have left the education system, but above all of identifying difficulties much earlier in order to prevent disruptions to their educational paths: “We have an obligation to address this.”
Guidance is another key factor: “A student who is poorly guided is a student who drops out.” The deputy headteacher wants to strengthen support starting in sixth grade to help young people gradually develop their plans, particularly towards vocational training. Dropout prevention groups, the local youth employment center, and community organizations will be involved in this initiative.
A more peaceful school
The vice-rector also makes the school climate a cornerstone of her mandate. Prevention of harassment, combating violence, development of psychosocial skills, education in emotional and relational life, and student empowerment are among her priorities.
“Exclusion sometimes leads to disengagement,” she summarizes, advocating for educational rather than purely disciplinary measures whenever possible. She also wants to develop civic, artistic, athletic, and environmental pathways, while strengthening support for students with special educational needs. It's worth noting that the School Support Unit can be contacted to identify and assist these students.
Focus on educational alliances
Finally, Nicole Noilhetas advocates for a governance model based on “educational alliances.” The Guadeloupe Education Authority, the educational hub, local authorities, the State, associations, economic stakeholders, and parents will need to work together to address the educational challenges of both territories. “Open to dialogue,” she particularly emphasizes the role of families in co-education. Other issues include the attractiveness of teaching positions, assignment procedures, and the replacement of absent teachers, as well as more sustained support for teams from the Guadeloupe inspectorate, which is expected to gain a better understanding of the realities of both territories.
While educational challenges are numerous, Nicole Noilhetas demonstrates her commitment to long-term action, driven by one conviction: student success can only be the result of collective effort.
