WILLEMSTAD - Bernadette Heiligers, a prominent author from the ABC Islands, is calling for a reconsideration of the language issue in education. This year marks the 45th 'anniversary' of the struggle for Papiamento as the language of instruction, a struggle that, according to her, still persists, and the education system falls short in serving the children.
The debate over the language of instruction in education on the ABC Islands has prompted Bernadette Heiligers to urgently reconsider this language issue. In her recent opinion piece in the Antilliaans Dagblad, Heiligers describes how the current education system fails to support children, especially those who speak Papiamento at home.
In 1979, concerns were already raised about poor educational outcomes, mainly caused by the switch from Papiamento to Dutch in primary education. This language barrier resulted in educational inequality. The then-minister Jacques Veeris tried to ease the transition to Dutch, but his proposal faced resistance from the Teachers' Union, fearing the loss of Papiamento as the language of instruction.
In 2002, Papiamento became the official language of instruction for basic education, a decision based on UNESCO recommendations. However, Heiligers emphasizes that there is still a shortage of reading and learning materials in Papiamento, leading to even greater educational inequality.
Education on the ABC Islands faces a lack of language proficiency, including in Papiamento. This is exacerbated by the lack of (pre)reading material in this language and the late introduction of Dutch in the curriculum.
Heiligers stresses that it is not about a pro or contra attitude towards Papiamento but about the right of all children to receive and successfully complete full-fledged education.
The author, known for various works, including biographies and novels, has previously spoken out about the state of education on the ABC Islands. Her recent call underscores the need for a reconsideration of the language of instruction, based on new insights and the importance of the child.
This calls for a significant shift in the approach to language education on the ABC Islands, away from decades-long ideological debates, focusing on practical solutions that benefit children.