In a Facebook post by Quincy Girigorie, a member of parliament for the political party PAR (Partido Alternativa Real), it was revealed that the 2024-2025 school year began on a turbulent note for 2,700 primary school students who are unable to participate in gym classes. This is due to a lack of budget allocated for sports lessons at the Ergilio Hato Stadium (SDK) in Brievengat. 

The fact that nearly 2,700 children are missing out on physical education highlights the financial challenges faced by public schools and the impact on the overall quality of education. This issue may point to larger budgetary problems within the education system, where essential programs like sports, arts, and music are often the first to be cut. 

This issue caught my attention, as I come from a family deeply involved in sports. My family practiced sports such as boxing, karate, judo, drag racing, taekwondo, and our family sport: horse racing. My uncle, Audy Muller, was a professional jockey who won several local and international competitions with his famous horse, Cariaco. Personally, I am a sports enthusiast and a former top athlete who has proudly represented Curaçao on various podiums. Additionally, I co-founded the Gold Medal Taekwondo Foundation, which was officially opened in 2008 with the mission to keep children off the streets in the Buena Vista neighborhood. For 13 years, I have passionately coached and mentored hundreds of young people. 

Physical education is a crucial component of school curricula and contributes to children's overall development. When students do not have access to gym classes due to a lack of government funding, it can lead to various negative consequences, including health issues. Without regular exercise, the risk of obesity and associated health problems increases. Sports also foster discipline, teamwork, self-confidence, and communication skills, which are less emphasized in traditional classroom settings. The absence of these opportunities can result in reduced self-sufficiency and social isolation. 

Another concern is the potential for lower academic performance. Physical activity is linked to improved concentration and cognitive function, both of which are important for academic success. Children from families who cannot afford extracurricular sports activities outside of school are particularly disadvantaged as they rely entirely on school for opportunities to be physically active and develop their skills. The absence of gym classes removes a crucial source of social interaction and physical exercise, which can negatively impact their health and well-being. 

While children from wealthier families often have access to private sports clubs or recreational activities, children from disadvantaged backgrounds do not have these opportunities. This disparity increases the divide between children from different socioeconomic backgrounds, contributing to issues such as child labor at traffic lights around the island. 

This situation underscores the need for the Minister of Education, Science, Culture, and Sports (OWCS), Sithree "Cey" van Heydoorn, to reconsider priorities and ensure balanced funding for all aspects of education. In the meantime, school communities could collaborate to find alternative solutions, such as partnering with local sports clubs, seeking grants, or involving volunteers to address this issue. 

Lianne Nicole Muller, MBA