THE HAGUE – Dutch Minister of Education, Eppo Bruins, has refrained from commenting on the concerning state of education in Curaçao, following a recent alarming report from the island’s education inspectorate. In response to questions from Dutch MP Raoul White (GroenLinks-PvdA), Bruins emphasized that education in Curaçao, Aruba, and Sint Maarten falls under the autonomous jurisdiction of each country, limiting the Dutch government’s ability to intervene.
Lack of Dutch Involvement in Curaçao’s Education Crisis
White had inquired about the inspectorate’s latest report, which paints a troubling picture of Curaçao’s primary education system. He also pointed out that this is the third such report in a short period—and one of many over the past decade—that highlights structural issues without significant reform.
However, the minister’s response remained unchanged: “Education is a national matter for the Caribbean countries, and it is not within the authority of the Ministry of Education, Culture, and Science (OCW) to comment on reports issued by Curaçao’s Education Inspectorate or those of the other islands.”
While Bruins acknowledged that the Dutch government collaborates with Curaçao through initiatives like the Landspakketten (Country Packages) and the Ministerial Four-Country Education Consultation (M4LO), he did not indicate any direct action regarding the reported crisis.
Concerns Over Lack of Progress
White also questioned whether similar educational concerns exist in Aruba and Sint Maarten. Bruins did not provide a direct answer, reiterating instead that education reforms in the Caribbean countries are voluntary and that the Netherlands only facilitates cooperation rather than enforces changes.
Notably, the state of Curaçao’s primary education was not specifically discussed during the most recent M4LO summit. Instead, the focus remained on broad topics such as teacher training, language education, and improving student success through the Strategic Education Alliance (SEA) program.
Future Steps for Education Reform
Despite the Dutch government’s reluctance to take a stance, agreements were made during the November 2024 M4LO meeting to support educational improvements across the Kingdom. Efforts such as the Kibrahacha collaboration for teacher training and the Dutch as a Foreign Language Network (NVT Carib) aim to address some of the ongoing issues.
Additionally, White’s previously approved motion for a comprehensive action plan to improve education in the Caribbean Netherlands will be incorporated into discussions for the 2025 M4LO. However, as Bruins clarified, educational policies in the Dutch Caribbean municipalities of Bonaire, Saba, and Sint Eustatius require a different approach than those of the autonomous countries.
With mounting concerns over the future prospects of Curaçaoan students, the question remains: Will voluntary cooperation be enough, or is stronger intervention needed to secure meaningful reforms?