WILLEMSTAD – The Dutch Education Executive Agency (DUO) will continue and further expand its services on Curaçao. The service office that opened on a trial basis in the spring of 2025 will remain operational for several more years, while the e-learning program on studying in the Netherlands will be rolled out across all secondary schools on the island during the current school year.
Dienst Uitvoering Onderwijs launched two pilot projects on Curaçao last year: a physical service office for students and former students, and an e-learning module aimed at secondary school pupils to prepare them for the practical aspects of studying in the Netherlands. Evaluations show that both initiatives have been effective. According to DUO, the projects help students start their studies better prepared and provide former students with more support in managing and repaying their study loans.
Support for Former Students
Over the past year, the service office was visited approximately one thousand times, mainly by former students seeking assistance with study financing and repayment obligations. A significant number of visitors were individuals facing payment arrears. Through personal guidance, many were able to make new arrangements that better align their monthly repayments with their income.
The service office was initially scheduled to operate for one year. However, based on the positive results, DUO has decided to extend its presence on Curaçao until April 1, 2028. The office is located at The Triangle on Hoogstraat in Willemstad. At the same time, DUO is working on further improvements to its services in the Caribbean region.
E-Learning Expanded Island-Wide
The e-learning program on studying in the Netherlands will also continue. In the spring of 2025, more than one hundred fourth-year HAVO students at Kolegio Alejandro Paula participated in the digital course for the first time. Topics included study financing, health insurance, housing, and financial administration.
Both students and teachers responded positively to the program, with participants indicating that it gave them clearer insight into the practical implications of studying abroad. As a result, DUO will make the e-learning available to all secondary schools on Curaçao during the current school year. The agency is also exploring whether the program can be introduced on other Caribbean islands.
According to DUO, the continuation and expansion of these initiatives reflect a long-term commitment to supporting Caribbean students before, during, and after their studies in the Netherlands.