WILLEMSTAD - The Ministry of Education, Science, Culture, and Sports (ESKD), through its Education and Science sector, hosted its inaugural conference on compulsory education under the theme "All Children Have a Right to Education." The event, officially opened by ESKD Minister Sithree van Heydoorn, introduced the public employees tasked with overseeing compulsory education.
With around 190 participants, including members of the police force, representatives from the judicial care sector, school management teams, and various organizations linked to education and sports, the conference marked the first in a series of planned informative sessions aimed at improving compulsory education.
Wladimir Kleinmoedig, Director of Education and Science, delivered an opening speech highlighting the ministry’s ongoing efforts to enhance the educational system. He stressed the importance of collective participation from all attendees, emphasizing that their collaboration is vital in improving compulsory education. Minister van Heydoorn echoed these sentiments, calling for active involvement from all participants to help optimize the compulsory education unit.
The keynote speaker, René Halberstadt, a seasoned expert in compulsory education with a PhD in educational sociology, presented insights from his book "Opening the Black Box of School Absenteeism." Dr. Halberstadt's presentation focused on the impact of school management, parental involvement, and student behavior on academic performance and absenteeism.
Following his presentation, participants engaged in group discussions to explore various aspects of compulsory education, sharing key points for consideration within the legal framework currently in development.
The Ministry of ESKD reflects on the event as a major success and believes it will significantly contribute to advancing the education system, particularly in the area of compulsory education, which remains a central focus of the ministry.