WILLEMSTAD - The Ministry of Education, in close collaboration with the Crisis Team and the Ministry of Health, has consulted with all stakeholders in education on how to continue the 2019-2020 school year and which protocols should be followed. Based on various proposals and medical research and advice, a phased easing has been proposed, so that education can be restarted in a responsible and safe manner.

The first easing is at the preschool (kindergarten). After that, priority will be given to the exam classes, which will start in the week of May 18. In the next 2 to 3 weeks, preparations will also be made to start elementary education. The other groups will also follow.

Daycare

The easing of measures means that more and more people are granted an exemption to work. This also means that more and more people are looking for daycare for their children. Consultation with medical specialists shows that the risk of infection among 0 to 4-year-old is very limited.

Pre-school centers, which receive requests from parents to care for children, can apply to the Culture and Sports Sector of the Ministry of Education, Science, Culture, and Sport (OWCS). Parents who do not have an exemption can also use these centers, but only on the days according to their license plate of the day.

The preschool care centers can only open if they comply with the prescribed protocols in the field of safety and hygiene. Culture and Sports Sector has set up an inspection team together with various authorities that will thoroughly monitor the rules with regard to hygiene. The team will be clearly recognizable.

Exam classes and other educational forms

The exam classes of HAVO 5, VWO 6, VSBO 4, and all SBO graduation groups can start on May 18 with the exams. After that it will be announced when the other classes of secondary and higher education can start.

Elementary schools

There are many requirements to be able to restart elementary schools. This form of education takes another 2 to 3 weeks to make adjustments to the curriculum. Schools must be thoroughly cleaned and appropriate hygiene measures are taken. In addition, sufficient social support must also be arranged so that students can start with their education again.

The Ministry of Education has already started preparations for a thorough cleaning and placing soap dispensers together with the Ministry of Health. In addition, an inventory is made with the schools of the status of the washbasins for washing hands and the toilets.

For all forms of education, the Ministry of Health, together with the policy organization of the Ministry of Education, draws up protocols and checklists for the reopening of schools. In this way, school heads and school boards can check whether the schools meet all requirements and are therefore ready for reopening.

Education Minister Rhuggenaath, thanks to everyone who has been involved in securing and providing education to our children in recent weeks. The coronavirus poses great challenges to our country. That is why the minister calls on everyone to be prepared for a school system that is different from what we are used to.