WILLEMSTAD – Group 8 students in the 2025-2026 school year will no longer take the EFO exam at the end of the year, confirmed Wladimir Kleinmoedig, Director of the Culture and Science Sector at the Ministry of Education, Science, Culture, and Sport (OWCS). The exam, which, along with the educational report, has traditionally determined access to secondary education, will be replaced by a new system. 

Transition Year Ahead 

The upcoming school year will serve as a transition period. Instead of the current exam, a revised educational report will be introduced, better reflecting students' skills. This report will be used to determine the appropriate level of secondary education. Additionally, a new advisory guide for teachers will be introduced to help them provide more objective school recommendations. 

Bonaire's Input on the New Exam 

The Ministry is collaborating with school directors and education experts to determine which final exam best suits the situation in Curaçao. Among the options being considered is the "transition test" used in Bonaire. The aim is to have the new exam ready for implementation by the end of the 2026-2027 school year. 

Responsibility of School Directors 

Until then, the responsibility remains with the school directors, who, according to the law, can decide whether a student should take an exam to qualify for the havo level. Kleinmoedig emphasized that this approach makes sense, as school directors closely monitor their students' progress. 

This decision follows an earlier announcement that the current EFO exam would remain in place for an additional year. However, plans have now been adjusted: after the 2024-2025 school year, the exam will be completely phased out in anticipation of the new system. The OWCS will soon launch a public campaign, in collaboration with government communications, to inform parents and students about the changes.