ORANJESTAD - During the working conference 'Study success for Caribbean students' that took place last week at the University of Aruba, an ambitious package of concrete and structural measures was presented to increase the study success of Caribbean students.
The results of the conference will be presented under the new name 'Strategic Education Alliance (SEA)' to the next Ministerial Four-Country Consultation on Education, Culture and Science. SEA consists of representatives of the countries Aruba, Curaçao, Sint Maarten and the Netherlands plus the Caribbean Netherlands (Bonaire, Saba, St. Eustatius).
Education parties from these countries have been working on improving the study success of Caribbean students for a year and a half. A large proportion of these students do not complete their studies abroad. The working conference in Aruba was organized to develop concrete follow-up steps. According to SEA, among other things, a joint strategic plan is needed that strengthens the educational infrastructure for higher and secondary education in the Caribbean.
In addition, a joint mobility program should enable mobility in the Kingdom at MBO, HBO and WO level, and SEA wants to better prepare students on the islands for their choice of study. The latter by offering a Pre-Academic Year, but also by using modern resources, such as apps and VR glasses.
SEA will ask the relevant ministers of the Ministerial Four-Country Consultation on Education, Culture and Science to provide financial support and resources and to ensure that the agreements made are actually realized.