WILLEMSTAD – At a roundtable hosted Thursday morning by Human Rights Defense Curaçao (HRDC), participants once again stressed the urgent need for a uniform policy governing the admission of undocumented children to schools. Currently, differing rules and procedures leave both students and parents facing uncertainty.

According to Ana-Maria Pauletta (PAR), a parliamentary staff member, and several other participants, the lack of consistency results in unequal opportunities. In some cases, enrollment is permitted with an expired passport or birth certificate, while in others it is not. Similarly, access to diplomas and school transportation is not always guaranteed.

During the meeting, HRDC also shared findings from focus groups with parents, lawyers, and school principals. The results underscored that better communication between ministries, schools, and institutions is essential to ensure that all children in Curaçao have equal access to education.

The call reflects growing pressure on policymakers to address gaps in the current system and create a clear framework that upholds the right to education for every child, regardless of legal status.