(A language map from Ethnologue. All but one of the (European) Netherlands traditional languages either has or has applied for ECMRL protection, and speakers of the remaining one (Vlaams) benefit from a 99% literacy rate in Dutch)
(A language map of my favourite part of the world from Ethnologue. Saba and Statia are so tiny that they are not named - they are the bits of the Netherlands Antilles that are not in a box, just NW of St. Kitts and Nevis)
It may be useful to examine the case for granting Sabans and Statians protection to use English in public and private life by investigating what the (European) Dutch government has done with other minority languages on its territory. The European Charter for Minority and Regional Languages (ECMRL) is "layered", in that once a state recognises a regional or minority language it can choose the level of commitment to its preservation and promotion. It can agree to be bound by the 8 fundamental principles and objectives of the charter ("Part II"), or it can go further and apply "Part III" - detailed rules in various fields including education, judicial authorities and the media. Part III is in itself variegated, allowing for a country to increase its level of commitment to a language when finances and political will allow.
The Netherlands currently extends "only Part II" protection to three languages: Limburgish, Low Saxon and Yiddish. Yiddish is a "non-geographic language" and hence isn't represented on the map above. Part II protection was requested by Zeeuws speakers in 2001.
Part III protection has been granted to the Frisian language, with the (European) Dutch government agreeing to be bound in the Province of Friesland by the provisions set out here in addition to those enjoyed by the "only Part II" languages.
I do not know the reasons why a Frisian tongue is a particularly privileged one in Holland. However if linguistic dissimilarity from Dutch plays a role, Statian and Saban English-speakers are well-placed to demand specific legal commitments under the ECMRL from their closer relationship with the mainland. That is, if two islands in the Caribbean can be considered "Europe".
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