GREAT BAY--Children and young people in St. Maarten are to be given greater opportunities to influence government policies, school rules and decisions affecting their daily lives under a Youth Participation Policy Framework published in the National Gazette of November 6, 2026. The framework, established through a ministerial administrative decision by the Ministry of Education, Culture, Youth and Sport (ECYS), introduces government-wide staff training requirements and practical guidelines for involving children in decision-making, with an emphasis on ensuring their opinions are heard, considered and reflected in decisions where appropriate.
The initiative represents an effort to make youth participation a regular part of government operations rather than an occasional consultation exercise. It applies to government entities and publicly funded organizations providing policies, programs or services affecting children, while accompanying implementation guidelines address schools, cultural institutions, youth organizations and sports bodies under ECYS oversight.
The ministerial decision, dated July 7, 2026, came into effect upon its publication in the National Gazette. It builds on the Integrated Youth Policy, the Positive Youth Development Handbook approved in 2025 and the Meaningful Youth Participation Policy Brief and Operational Framework, also approved in 2025.
One of the most significant elements concerns how schools involve students in decisions affecting their education, safety and well-being. The framework encourages public and subsidized schools to strengthen or establish student councils and representative bodies, include students in school improvement planning and consult them when reviewing school rules, codes of conduct, anti-bullying measures and learning environments.
The guidance also identifies disciplinary approaches, extracurricular activities, digital learning, cultural initiatives and sports development as areas where children's perspectives should be considered. Rather than requiring elaborate consultation arrangements, schools are encouraged to use practical methods such as classroom discussions, surveys, workshops, student councils and youth forums.
A central question proposed in the guidelines is: "Will this decision affect children directly or indirectly?" Where the answer is yes, schools and government departments are encouraged to consider how children can participate appropriately in the decision-making process.
The guidelines emphasize that participation should complement teaching and learning rather than disrupt it. They also recognize that children of different ages require different approaches to expressing their opinions.
The administrative decision establishes a Mainstreaming Youth Participation Program, coordinated by ECYS through its Department of Youth in collaboration with relevant stakeholders. Government ministries must cooperate with the government's Human Resource function and ECYS to identify appropriate personnel for training, including policy officers, program managers and frontline staff whose responsibilities involve children.
The training is intended to strengthen officials' ability to include young people in policy development, planning, implementation and evaluation. Participation in the online training program is to be incorporated, where applicable, into institutional learning and annual human resource planning.
Completion of introductory training may also be considered a prerequisite for officials responsible for developing or overseeing policies affecting children. The framework further provides that training may be considered in individual performance development and evaluation, in accordance with applicable human resource policies.
ECYS is responsible for coordinating ongoing support, including refresher training, guidance materials and technical assistance. Training opportunities may also be extended to civil society organizations, implementing partners and other institutions working with young people.
The framework emphasizes that opportunities to participate must not be limited to students who are already confident, outspoken or involved in organized youth activities. Special consideration is required for children with disabilities, migrant children, those in alternative care and children who have come into conflict with the law.
Children's participation must be voluntary and informed, with appropriate explanations about the purpose of each activity and how their contributions may be used. Safeguarding procedures, confidentiality and consent are identified as essential requirements, particularly where discussions involve sensitive personal experiences.
The guidelines caution against asking children to disclose traumatic information without appropriate support systems. They also stress that participation methods must reflect children's ages, maturity, abilities and individual circumstances.
For children between six and eleven years old, suggested methods include drawing, storytelling, role-playing, games and small group discussions. Adolescents between twelve and seventeen may participate through peer dialogues, digital surveys, youth forums and policy workshops.
Inclusive methods may involve sign language, translated materials, simplified language, visual aids, large-print documents and audio formats to ensure that children with different abilities and backgrounds can participate.
An important requirement of meaningful participation is that children receive feedback after being consulted. The framework warns against tokenism, where young people are invited to share opinions without any genuine opportunity to influence decisions.
Schools and government departments are encouraged to explain which decisions were taken, how children's recommendations were considered and why certain suggestions could not be implemented. Feedback may be provided through classroom discussions, assemblies, posters, digital messages or follow-up meetings.
The policy recognizes several forms of participation, including consultations where children advise adults, collaborative arrangements where children and adults work together, child-led initiatives and representative participation through councils or working groups.
These arrangements are intended to give young people opportunities to contribute while maintaining appropriate adult responsibility for decisions and safeguarding.
The framework introduces indicators intended to help government departments and participating organizations measure whether youth involvement is becoming part of their regular operations. These include identifying designated child participation focal points, making budgetary provisions for participation activities and recording how children have contributed to policy or program development.
The accompanying implementation guidelines call for each department and school to designate a staff member responsible for coordinating child participation. That individual should receive appropriate training and have the responsibility reflected in relevant job descriptions or annual work plans.
Schools and departments are also encouraged to maintain basic records identifying the number of children involved, the issues raised and any resulting decisions or actions. ECYS may request this information to support annual reporting and improve future participation practices.
The document makes clear that the practical implementation guidelines are non-binding and do not replace the obligations established by the ministerial decision. Nevertheless, they provide a common approach for schools and institutions seeking to put the framework into practice.
The policy is grounded in the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child, particularly provisions concerning children's right to express their views on matters affecting them. It also connects youth participation with government's broader commitments to transparency, good governance and inclusive development.
