WILLEMSTAD – The Ministry of Education, Science, Culture and Sports (OWCS) has started inspection visits at schools as part of a major project to install solar panels at educational institutions across Curaçao.
According to a government press release, the inspections form part of the tender process within the “Mehorashon di Enseñansa Kòrsou” (Improvement of Curaçao Education) program, which focuses on modernizing and making the island’s education sector more sustainable.
The ministry said the project is intended to improve learning conditions while also addressing the long-standing heat problems inside classrooms. Following an inventory of school buildings, the government will first focus on installing solar panels, after which air-conditioning systems will be added.
Authorities stated that the use of solar energy is intended to prevent schools from facing sharply higher electricity costs once air-conditioning systems are installed. In some cases, schools could even see lower overall energy expenses.
“The inspection round is expected to last approximately two weeks,” the government stated. “Suppliers that successfully passed the prequalification phase will have the opportunity during that period to visit schools and prepare their proposals.”
The project is expected to be implemented in phases over a three-year period and will be financed through the government’s capital budget.
The initiative forms part of broader efforts to improve school infrastructure and create more comfortable and sustainable learning environments for students and teachers on Curaçao.