WILLEMSTAD – The Council of Ministers has approved a new Educational Leadership Program aimed at strengthening school management and educational oversight as part of the ongoing reforms under Curaçao's Country Package (Landspakket).
The program will run from May 2026 through February 2027 and will be implemented in cooperation with the Temporary Work Organization (TWO) and the National Reform Commission (NHC).
Following approval by the Council of Ministers, the action plan will be forwarded to the Dutch State Secretary for Kingdom Relations and Good Governance for the next stage of the approval process.
The initiative represents another step in the government's efforts to improve the quality of education and strengthen leadership within Curaçao's school system.
According to reform documents, Curaçao and the Netherlands have been working together to enhance the quality of school leadership, educational inspection, and personnel management throughout the education sector.
Focus on Professional Development
The new leadership program forms part of a broader package of educational reforms currently being implemented under the Country Package.
One of the related projects already underway focuses on the professional development of new education inspectors. That training program consists of six modules and combines expertise from local professionals with instruction provided by the Dutch Academy for Supervision.
Participants in the inspector training program also take part in working visits to the Dutch Education Inspectorate, allowing them to gain practical experience and insight into international best practices.
The broader professionalization effort covers a wide range of topics, including leadership skills, communication, objective assessment methods, reporting techniques, and understanding the social and cultural context in which schools operate.
Officials believe these improvements will contribute to stronger educational oversight and more effective management of schools across the island.
Part of Wider Education Reform Agenda
The Educational Leadership Program is also linked to broader government efforts to modernize the public sector and improve workforce development.
According to project documents, the reforms are intended to help Curaçao attract, retain, and develop qualified professionals within the education system.
The government is also examining updated job descriptions, modern evaluation systems, and more competitive employment conditions as part of its strategy to strengthen the sector.
Education remains one of the key pillars of the Country Package reform agenda, with authorities emphasizing that stronger leadership and better management are essential to improving educational outcomes and preparing students for future economic and social challenges.
Officials expect the new program to play an important role in building a stronger and more professional education system while supporting long-term improvements in the quality of teaching and school administration throughout Curaçao.