One Classroom, One Culture: Why Carnival Belongs in Our Education System

Anyone who has grown up in Sint Maarten knows that Carnival is more than an event. It is a feeling. It is the sound of steelpan echoing through the streets of Philipsburg, the energy of Jouvert morning moving around the Great Salt Pond, and the pride of seeing our people come together year after year.

What we sometimes overlook is that the same sense of unity and pride we see on the road can also exist in our classrooms.

Having served as a teacher, a principal, and as a former president of the St. Maarten Carnival Development Foundation SCDF, I have seen this connection up close. During my tenure in 2011 and 2012, we went into schools across the island, speaking directly to our young people, not just about Carnival as a celebration, but about what it represents, discipline, respect, responsibility, and cultural pride. Those school tours showed us something powerful. Students who were quiet became expressive. Students who struggled to connect became engaged, simply because the learning felt real to them.

At the same time, I fully recognize that Sint Maarten is a diverse and faith driven society. For many families, values rooted in faith, respect, and moral guidance are central to how children are raised. Integrating Carnival into education must therefore be done in a way that is respectful, balanced, and mindful of these beliefs. This is not about promoting excess or behavior that may conflict with personal values, but about teaching culture, history, discipline, and identity in a structured and respectful manner.

Too often, our education system feels distant from our daily lives, but Carnival is something every child on this island should truly understand, whether they are watching the parades, participating in troupes, or hearing the music. It is part of our history and preserves our culture. It tells our story, our struggles, our creativity, and our resilience. Leaving it outside of the classroom sends the message that what is truly ours is not important enough to be taught.

We must also ensure that our children truly understand Carnival, not just as a celebration, but as heritage. They should learn the history of Carnival, know the icons who helped build it, and understand the role of all stakeholders, from organizers and band leaders to designers, musicians, and volunteers, who continue to shape it year after year. This knowledge can be taught in ways that emphasize values such as respect, responsibility, community, and pride, which align with both cultural and faith based principles.

When students are given the chance to design a costume, learn the history behind our Carnival traditions, or understand the coordination it takes to bring a troupe to life, education becomes meaningful. Learning becomes active, engaging, and connected to real life.

At the same time, we know that not every child gets the same opportunity to fully participate in Carnival. Costumes and access can be expensive, and that reality mirrors the inequalities we see in education. Bringing Carnival into the school system ensures that every child in Sint Maarten, regardless of background, can benefit from it, while still allowing families to guide the level of participation in accordance with their personal beliefs.

For our island, this is not just about culture, it is about our future. Carnival is one of our strongest expressions of identity and a key part of our economy. By embracing it within education in a respectful and values based way, we are not only preserving tradition, we are creating pathways for young people in the creative industries, tourism, and entrepreneurship.

Carnival, when approached responsibly, teaches discipline, teamwork, and pride. It teaches our young people how to represent themselves and their country with confidence. It is education in motion, and it belongs

right where our future is being shaped, in our schools.

Our children should not have to wait for Carnival season to feel connected to who they are. That sense of identity can be taught in a way that respects both culture and conviction, allowing every child in Sint Maarten to learn, grow, and belong.

‍