WILLEMSTAD - Minister of Education, Science, Culture and Sports, Sithree van Heydoorn, welcomed a group of teachers participating in a train-the-trainer program on citizenship education. The program is part of the minister’s recovery initiative, Programma Mehorashon di Enseñansa, which focuses on targeted professional development activities. “The quality of our education depends entirely on the people standing in front of the classroom,” said the minister. “That’s why we are investing in our teachers.” Citizenship education: the foundation of our society.
Citizenship education plays a vital role in the development of students. Schools help young people acquire the knowledge, attitude, and skills necessary to engage with society in a positive and responsible manner. In doing so, schools prepare students to fulfill their role as citizens in a diverse, complex, and ever-changing world.
However, implementing citizenship education effectively is not always easy in practice. Many teachers struggle with how to translate these concepts into classroom activities. The traditional subject of social studies alone no longer suffices to guide students toward becoming active citizens, as citizenship education cuts across all subjects. Teachers are therefore seeking inspiration, guidance, and practical tools to help them integrate it into their lessons.
Collaboration with Fontys University of Applied Sciences
To meet this need, Fontys Educatie (Tilburg, the Netherlands), commissioned by the Ministry of Education, Science, Culture and Sports (OWCS) and in collaboration with the University of Curaçao (UoC), developed a specialized program. Fontys applies the Special Interest Group (SIG) concept — a model in which a group of motivated and skilled teachers becomes experts in a specific educational theme, enabling them to train and inspire colleagues within and beyond their own schools.
This train-the-trainer program focuses on the content, didactics, and pedagogical dimensions of citizenship education. Participants — teachers from havo/vwo, vsbo, and sbo levels — are being trained as leaders, trainers, and ambassadors for citizenship education within their respective schools. Fontys lecturer Tufan Naderi played a key role in the development of the program.
A two-phase learning trajectory
The program consists of several phases. In the first phase, the teachers participate in an intensive one-week training program in the Netherlands. Afterwards, they work on concrete assignments within their own educational context, supported by coaches and mentors. The following year, a follow-up session will take place in Curaçao under the guidance of Fontys. Upon successful completion, participants will receive a certificate with official study credits.
A fruitful partnership
The program is a direct outcome of the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed last year between Fontys and the University of Curaçao. Minister Van Heydoorn expressed his satisfaction with the initiative, stating:
“Through this collaboration, we are not only strengthening our teachers but also investing in the future of our country. I hope that you — as pioneers of citizenship education — will inspire others to follow in your footsteps.”
