WILLEMSTAD – The Minister of Education, Science, Culture and Sport has officially adopted the renewed Onderwijskundig Rapport (OKR), which will serve as the legal foundation for school advice starting in the 2025-2026 academic year. This marks a significant milestone in Curaçao’s education system, bringing an end to the central final test (EFO), which was administered for the last time in the 2024-2025 school year.

The renewed OKR was developed through extensive collaboration with schools, teachers, and school leaders, who contributed input via consultations, workshops, and a pilot program. As a result, the new instrument provides a broader picture of students, taking into account not only cognitive skills but also individual talents and self-perceptions.

To support teachers in providing well-founded school advice, the ministry is introducing a practical guide that includes concrete student profiles aligned with HAVO, VSBO, and AGO education tracks. “The goal is to strengthen the basis for school advice and reduce differences in interpretation between schools,” the minister explained. This is particularly important in the first year without a central test, as teachers will rely more heavily on professional judgment.

In preparation, teachers and school leaders will receive training on how to correctly complete the digital OKR, use student profiles effectively, and recognize and prevent unconscious bias. The updated OKR will be made available in November 2025 through the digital CLOA platform, allowing schools to complete and securely transmit reports online.

The 2025-2026 academic year will serve as a transition period, during which the system will be evaluated and adjusted where necessary. At the same time, the ministry is exploring the possibility of introducing an independent final test for 2026-2027, potentially modeled on Bonaire’s locally focused “doorstroomtoets.” Follow-up assessments are also expected to play a greater role in shaping school advice.

Key steps in the coming months include the delivery of the final practical guide in October 2025, followed by the start of training sessions and the release of the renewed OKR document on CLOA in November. The transition year will then provide valuable insights for further refinement and development.