WILLEMSTAD – Curaçao’s persistent teacher shortage is again receiving attention as schools prepare for the start of the 2026-2027 academic year, with education professionals arguing that simply recruiting more teachers will not be enough to solve the problem.
Education professional Sharelly Regina, who works within the Broad Schools project of the Public Schools Service (DOS), says Curaçao needs to reconsider how teaching teams are organized.
According to Regina, discussion of the shortage often focuses on attracting more students to teacher-training programs. However, the problem also involves teachers leaving the profession.
One possible approach is to move away from relying exclusively on one teacher for each classroom.
Under such a model, the qualified teacher would retain responsibility for education while receiving greater support from teaching assistants, pedagogical workers and subject specialists.
“The teacher shortage requires not only more people, but also smarter organized teams,” Regina argues.
The problem is not new.
Earlier this year, the shortage was described as having reached a critical level, with the government considering measures including improved employment conditions, certification of currently unqualified teachers and cooperation with local and international educational institutions.
Concerns are particularly serious in vocational education. The Education Inspectorate previously warned that shortages of qualified teachers and practical instructors were affecting teaching, student supervision and examinations.
The renewed discussion comes as Curaçao prepares to reopen its schools. Students at several school boards are scheduled to return to class on August 20.
The shortage therefore remains more than a long-term education policy issue. Schools must also find enough qualified personnel to keep classrooms functioning now.