WILLEMSTAD – The Foundation Fair Educational Chance and the University of Groningen are jointly organizing a conference focusing on aggression and personality development among young people in Curaçao. The event follows the release of findings from a large-scale study involving more than 2,000 students, which points to concerning levels of aggressive behavior in schools.
According to the research, approximately 35 percent of boys in primary education display aggressive behavior. In secondary education, that figure stands at 32 percent. Among girls, aggressive behavior was observed in 25 percent of primary school students and 23 percent of secondary school students. The researchers conclude that these figures indicate an unsafe school climate, raising concerns about students’ well-being and learning environments.
The study examined patterns of behavior across different age groups and educational levels, highlighting that aggressive conduct is not confined to a specific stage of schooling. The findings suggest that both prevention and intervention strategies are needed to improve safety and social interaction within schools.
A key element of the conference will be the launch of a new personality questionnaire in Papiamentu, specifically developed for young people in the Caribbean region. The tool aims to better measure and understand behavioral patterns by taking cultural and linguistic context into account, something researchers say has been lacking in existing assessment instruments.
Speakers at the conference include Odette van Brummen, Pieternel Dijkstra, and Dick Barelds, who will discuss the research outcomes, their implications for education and youth policy, and possible approaches to creating safer school environments.
The organizers hope the conference will contribute to greater awareness of youth aggression on Curaçao and support the development of evidence-based policies and interventions aimed at fostering safer, more supportive schools.