WILLEMSTAD - Curaçao's Court of Appeal has ruled that the government must align education funding with legal requirements within three months. Minister Sithree van Heydoorn of Education, Science, Culture, and Sports has been mandated to establish new agreements, including increased funding norms, to comply with the Compensation and Accountability System. 

This judgment follows a protracted legal battle by the Association for Protestant Christian Education (VPCO), which has been advocating for proper school funding since 2018. In February 2023, the lower court ruled in favor of the VPCO. However, the government responded with only a temporary financial concession in August 2023. These additional funds proved insufficient to address ongoing deficits in material costs such as maintenance, educational resources, and facilities. 

Court’s Findings 

The court found that the minister failed to periodically review and adjust funding norms as legally required. This neglect resulted in disproportionate financial advantages for public schools while disadvantaging special schools. The court emphasized that the issue involves structural shortcomings that need immediate resolution. 

The case centers not only on the funding amounts but also on transparency. The court ordered the government to clarify how public funds are allocated and spent. Furthermore, the ruling compels the government to increase the standard funding to an established amount of over 420,000 guilders per school. 

Impact and Next Steps 

This decision marks the conclusion of the government's appeal against previous court rulings. The VPCO has hailed the outcome as a victory for education in Curaçao. Meanwhile, the government is under significant pressure to act swiftly to address the structural issues and avoid further legal battles. 

By resolving this funding crisis, the government has the opportunity to enhance educational equity and meet its legal obligations to Curaçao’s schools, ensuring better resources and opportunities for students.