WILLEMSTAD – MFK Member of Parliament Sandy Losiabaar wants Curaçao to stop using the term “special education” and replace it with “appropriate education,” arguing that the current terminology can unnecessarily stigmatize children who require additional educational support.
Losiabaar said she initiated the process for the proposed name change last Friday. It remains unclear what formal steps have been taken or when the new terminology could be introduced.
According to the parliamentarian, the proposal is about more than changing a name. She wants to change the way the education system approaches children who require additional assistance.
Losiabaar believes the term “special education” can reinforce the perception that certain children are different or do not belong within the regular education system.
By introducing the term “appropriate education,” she wants greater emphasis placed on what individual students need to develop successfully.
Under that approach, the child should not always be expected to adapt to the existing education system. Instead, schools should, as much as possible, adapt education to the abilities, learning styles and needs of individual students.
Losiabaar said children learn differently and at different speeds. The fact that some require additional support should not result in them being regarded as inferior or abnormal.
The MFK parliamentarian said she intends to continue working toward the proposed change. It is not yet known how “appropriate education” would be formally incorporated into Curaçao's education policy or legislation.