WILLEMSTAD – The transition from primary (funderend) education to secondary education in Curaçao is under increasing pressure, with serious concerns about fairness, legality, and effectiveness in the current system.
A new publication by the Inspectorate of Education highlights structural problems in how students move from primary to secondary schools. While the education system is designed to focus on the holistic development of children, in practice it has become increasingly driven by selection mechanisms and testing.
One of the main concerns is the role of the Eindtoets Funderend Onderwijs (EFO), a final test that is widely used in practice but is not formally required by law. The Inspectorate notes that this creates a mismatch between legal frameworks and actual implementation. The use of the EFO has contributed to growing school pressure, increased focus on test performance, and the rise of “shadow education” such as extra tutoring.
The report also points to a structural shortage of effective teaching time. School schedules have remained largely unchanged since 2002, limiting opportunities for broader development, including social, emotional, and creative skills.
Another major issue is the use of the “onderwijskundig rapport,” a report intended to provide a complete picture of a child’s development. In practice, however, these reports often focus more on background and administrative details rather than actual learning progress, skills, and potential.
The Inspectorate warns that the current system risks undermining equal opportunities. Differences in school policies, teacher competencies, and access to test preparation can significantly influence outcomes, raising concerns about fairness and reliability.
As part of ongoing reforms, authorities have already begun phasing out the EFO. Starting from the 2025–2026 school year, the system is expected to rely more heavily on improved student reports and teacher assessments, aligning more closely with the original vision of development-oriented education.
The Inspectorate emphasizes that restoring balance will require reducing test pressure, strengthening teacher capacity, and ensuring that decisions about students are based on comprehensive and reliable information.