Saba News News and Information from Saba Island, Dutch Caribbean
- April 24, 2026
DUO expands digital services for students across six islands
The Dutch education implementation agency DUO (Dienst Uitvoering Onderwijs) is expanding its services across the Caribbean, strengthening both digital accessibility and student preparation programmes in St. Maarten, Aruba, Curacao and the Caribbean Netherlands. DUO has offered video consultations with staff in the Netherlands since the COVID-19 period, allowing (former) students to ask questions about student finance, study grants and loan repayment. However, time zone differences between Europe and the Caribbean limited appointment availability. With the new video calling service now operating through the Curacao office, DUO says accessibility has significantly improved. Students and former students across St. Maarten, Aruba and the Caribbean Netherlands can now schedule appointments more easily and at more convenient times. The service is also available to users in Curacao when an in-person visit is not possible. Consultations can be conducted via laptop, tablet or mobile phone, and appointments are booked through www. duo.nl/cariben. The Daily Herald.
- April 24, 2026
VVD revives bill to ease exit Caribbean countries
The VVD faction in the Dutch House of Representatives has revived a legislative proposal aimed at making it easier for Caribbean countries within the Kingdom of the Netherlands to pursue independence. MP Renate den Hollander (VVD) informed the Speaker of the House that she will take over the defence of this bill, which was originally introduced in 2019 by former MP Andre Bosman. The proposal had remained inactive following Bosman’s departure from Parliament. The initiative seeks to amend the Kingdom Charter to allow Curacao and St. Maarten -like Aruba- to independently decide on independence. It would also create the possibility for the Caribbean Netherlands (Bonaire, St. Eustatius and Saba) to leave the Dutch constitutional framework if they choose to do so. A key aspect of the proposal is the lowering of procedural thresholds for exiting the kingdom. The requirement to first consult the population through a formal process would be removed, and a two-thirds majority in the local Parliament would no longer be mandatory. The move is not entirely unexpected. In the coalition agreement of the current Dutch government, VVD had already emphasised that the charter should explicitly allow Caribbean countries to declare independence if they wish. The proposal is likely to spark renewed debate within the kingdom, particularly in Curacao and St. Maarten, where questions about autonomy, governance and future relations with the Netherlands remain politically sensitive. The Daily Herald.
- April 23, 2026
Public Entity Saba Introduces Monuments Council
Following the announcement of the establishment of an official Monuments Council for the island of Saba on March 3, 2026, the Public Entity Saba has taken the next step in strengthening heritage protection. On April 21, 2026, the introductory meeting of the newly formed Monuments Council was held, marking the formal start of its work. The meeting brought together members of the Working Group for Monuments alongside the appointed council members. Representing the Working Group were Lukas van der Steen (Senior Policy Advisor – Infrastructural & Spatial Development), Shaigan Marten (Culture & Education Policy Advisor, Department of Community Development & Culture), and Sharifa Balfour (Director of the Saba Archaeological Center Foundation / Saba Heritage Center). The official Monuments Council is comprised of Mr. Teddy Johnson, Ms. Olga Simmons, Mr. Glenn Holm, Mr. Michael Newton, and Ms. Nanette de Jong, with Mr. Shaigan Marten acting as Coordinator and Liaison between the public entity and the Monuments Council. During the session, attendees introduced themselves and received detailed guidance on the structure and function of the Monuments Council. Discussions covered the roles and responsibilities of members, the frequency of meetings, and the council’s duty to serve and represent the interests of the Saban community in matters related to heritage preservation. The establishment of the Monuments Council forms part of broader efforts by the Public Entity Saba to formalize heritage protection policies. This includes the identification, designation, and conservation of monuments across the island, ensuring that Saba’s historical sites, architecture, and cultural landscapes are preserved in a sustainable and structured manner. By bringing together local and regional expertise and community representation, the Monuments Council will play a key advisory role in evaluating monument status, guiding preservation initiatives, and supporting responsible development that respects Saba’s cultural identity. The Public Entity Saba looks forward to the council’s contributions as it continues to implement measures to protect and celebrate the island’s heritage. PES.
The Talent Ontwikkel Programma Caribisch Nederland (TOP CN) for Bonaire, St. Eustatius and Saba (BES islands) is set to relaunch in September 2026, offering a one-year work and training opportunity for recently graduated professionals with Caribbean roots. Applications for the 2026-2027 TOP CN traineeship officially opened on Wednesday, April 22. The programme provides participants with the opportunity to gain hands-on experience within government institutions, including public entities and the Rijksdienst Caribisch Nederland. Successful candidates will begin their placements in August or September 2026, working in roles aligned with their qualifications while simultaneously following the structured trainee program. The traineeship will officially commence on September 14, 2026, and spans a total of 10 months. Throughout the programme, participants will receive professional guidance and take part in a wide range of training sessions and workshops. These include topics such as strategic stakeholder management, policy development skills, and language proficiency. Organisers say the program is designed to foster both professional and personal growth, strengthening career prospects for participants while also enhancing institutional capacity in the Caribbean Netherlands. TOP CN specifically targets young professionals of Caribbean descent who are willing to return to Bonaire, St. Eustatius, or Saba within three years of completing their higher education (HBO or university degree). Interested candidates have until Tuesday, May 12, to apply. More information is available at www.topcn.nl. The Daily Herald.
- April 22, 2026
Cabinet: No oil extraction near Saba
There will be no oil extraction near Saba. Minister of Climate and Green Growth Stientje van Veldhoven stated this tonight during the parliamentary debate on the cabinet measures to mitigate the consequences of rising oil and fuel prices. Member of Parliament Frederik Jansen (Forum for Democracy) pointed out the presence of an oil field near Saba that could potentially be tapped if a fuel shortage threatens. “I want to know if the Minister is willing to launch an investigation into oil extraction off the coast of Saba, which is, after all, a Dutch municipality. Various scientific articles estimate that an oil field the size of 500 million barrels lies there.” Van Veldhoven: “Multiple studies have been conducted into this. No extraction plan was ever drawn up for it by those parties. They were commercial parties. Moreover, it is located right next to a protected coral reef. So, from both an economic and ecological perspective, no possibilities have been found for oil extraction near Saba.” Dossier Koninkrijksrelaties.
The board governing the Sacred Heart School on Saba is no longer subject to enhanced supervision by the Dutch Ministry of Education and Emancipation. State Secretary Judith Tielen has announced that the formal designation order against Stichting Katholiek Onderwijs Saba (SKOSaba) has been officially withdrawn. The designation was introduced in 2024 after the Education Inspectorate reported serious and structural mismanagement. The board had failed over an extended period to safeguard educational quality, and its financial management fell short of legal requirements. Under the terms of the order, the board was required to carry out a comprehensive recovery program. In November 2025, the Inspectorate conducted recovery reviews at both school and board levels. Investigators found that the board had made visible and substantive improvements. A functioning quality assurance system is now in place, pupil development is actively monitored, financial resources are linked to concrete goals, and the board has been strengthened with new members whose roles and responsibilities are clearly defined. Although some shortcomings remain, the Inspectorate is satisfied that mismanagement has ended and that improvement is ongoing. Oversight of the remaining points now returns to the Inspectorate under its standard supervisory framework. State Secretary Tielen expressed confidence that the board, under continued Inspectorate supervision, will sustain and build on the progress made. Dossier Koninkrijksrelaties
The Island Council of Saba has officially launched its new website, providing the public with more direct access to information about the council and its work. Developed over several months and led by SIM Caribbean in collaboration with the Island Registrar’s Office and ICT and Communications Department, the project focused on implementing a range of digital enhancements, resulting in a fully integrated online platform. Key features include the iBabs Council Information System and public portal, as well as live and on-demand webcasting powered by Company Webcast. One of the most notable improvements is the ability for residents to watch council meetings directly on the website, with access to related documents discussed during the meetings. Meetings will also continue to be available on the Public Entity Saba YouTube channel. With this launch, the Island Council of Saba aims to become more digital and accessible, strengthening transparency and encouraging greater public engagement. View the full Island Council website here: Island Council of Saba PES
Students from the Saba Comprehensive School have safely arrived in the Netherlands, marking the next step in their educational study trip. The group, consisting of Form 4 Academic and Vocational students, travelled via St. Maarten and Paris before landing at Amsterdam Airport Schiphol earlier this week. The trip is aimed at giving students first-hand exposure to tertiary education opportunities, helping them make informed decisions about their future studies. School representatives expressed appreciation to supporting organizations, including the Saba Lions Club and ICS Saba, for their contribution to the initiative. The BES-Reporter.
On April 16, eleven participants successfully obtained their certificates for the tailor-made Training Programme for Dementia Case Manager Caribbean. This intensive thirteen-month programme brought together healthcare professionals from Saba, Sint Maarten, Sint Eustatius and Bonaire with the aim of strengthening dementia care in the region. The training focused on three key roles. Participants were trained as dementia experts, with attention to medical, psychosocial and ethical knowledge, as well as communication and person-centred care. They were also prepared for the role of network coordinator, with a focus on connecting care and welfare organisations. Finally, they were developed into advocates who contribute to raising awareness of dementia within society. The group consisted of professionals from a wide range of backgrounds, including social workers, day care staff and nurses from hospitals, nursing homes and home care services. This diversity contributed to a broad exchange of knowledge and practical experience. The programme was developed by Marieke Dooremalen and Saskia Danen of the Dementia Academy, in close collaboration with a project group of commissioners from the four islands. In total, the training comprised 21 teaching days, spread across eight in-person sessions on Saba and Bonaire, nine online teaching days and a four-day working visit to the Netherlands. The BES-Reporter.
- April 15, 2026
Central Committee and Island Council Meetings on April 21st
Public Notice The Central Committee of the Public Entity Saba hereby cares to inform the public that there will be a Central Committee meeting on Tuesday April 21 st, 2026 at 2:00 pm at the Government Administration Building. You may also view the Central Committee meeting on the Saba Government YouTube page. Agenda: 1.0pening 2.Approval ofthe agenda 3.Approval of the minutes 4.Citizens right to speak on agenda points 5.0ral Question round: concerning announced questions from Island Council incoming correspondence list during the period October 4th, – October 31st, 2025 (Article 1 8) I Island Council incoming and outgoing corespondence list -EC letter#343/2025 Island Council Motion – strengthening local public health role in healthcare referral monitoring. 5.2 Executive Council decision list -October 2 1 st 2025, 3.1.2, Integrity Summit 6.1 sland Council Proposal 2026.1 : Saba language Policy 7.Closing Looking forward to your attendance. Sincerely, The Island Registrar, Akilah M. Levenstone The Chairlady of the Central Committee, E.O. F Peterson Note: The general public is allowed to examine the documents on the agenda for the abovementioned Central Committee meeting, at the Office of the Island Registrar which is located in the Government Administration Building. If you have any questions, please free to contact the Island Registrar (Akilah M. Levenstone) at akilah.levenstone@sabagov.nl or call 416-3311 ext 202. If you want to make use of the opportunity to speak to the members of the Central Committee at this meeting you have to inform the Island Registrar at least 48 hour before the meeting in order for the Registrar to explain the rules of the meeting and process your request. The general public is welcome to attend the meeting as an observer. PUBLIC NOTICE The Island Governor of the Public Entity Saba hereby cares to inform the public that there will be an Island Council meeting on Tuesday April 21st, 2026. The Island Council meeting will commence immediately after the Central Committee meeting is adjourned. You may also view the public meeting on the Saba Government YouTube page. The agenda is as follows: Opening and announcements Approval of the agenda Approval of the minutes Oral Question time (article 36) Incoming and outgoing correspondence and announcements from November 1st, 2025 – April 10th, 2026 5.1 Island Council incoming and outgoing correspondence list 5.2 Executive Council decision list 5.3 Written questions to the Executive Council (article 35) 5.4 Answers to written questions to the Executive Council (article 35) Island Council Proposal 2026.1: Saba Language Policy Motions Closing Sincerely, The Island Governor J.G.A. Johnson M. Ed.
