Education and training must be Curaçao's number one priority. Period.
The latest figures released by the Central Bureau of Statistics (CBS) should serve as a wake-up call. They paint a troubling picture of the educational level and preparedness of our society. This is not something we can afford to observe from the sidelines. It demands action.
The consequences are far-reaching. Our people are falling behind, and with them, so is our country. A nation whose citizens fail to grow in knowledge and skills is a nation that risks stagnation.
Recent data indicate that roughly 60 percent of our population has an educational level comparable to the sixth grade of primary school. In practical terms, this means that on many of the critical issues facing our country, a large portion of the population struggles to fully understand what is at stake. Without sufficient knowledge, it becomes difficult to analyze issues, make informed judgments or develop well-founded opinions.
What often fills that gap is emotion rather than reason. Public debate becomes dominated by conflict, confrontation and shouting instead of thoughtful discussion.
This is not about illiteracy. Fortunately, the number of people in Curaçao who cannot read or write remains relatively low. The real challenge lies elsewhere. Many people can read and write, yet their level of education does not equip them with the knowledge and critical thinking skills needed to help move the country forward.
For years we have heard people say that many citizens do not enjoy reading or keeping themselves informed. The result is increasingly visible: a society that is falling behind, making poor judgments and displaying behavior that undermines social cohesion.
We see it everywhere—in traffic, on school grounds, during public meetings and debates, and especially on social media, where ignorance often speaks louder than sound reasoning.
If Curaçao continues along this path, the island will face increasingly serious social and economic challenges. These are not problems that can be solved overnight. Reversing years of educational decline will require sustained effort over many years.
This is the moment to stand up and act—not to exploit the issue for political gain, but for those in leadership to accept responsibility.
We must invest now, and invest substantially, in education, retraining and lifelong learning for the people of Curaçao. Our country needs responsible citizens—people who understand the consequences of their actions, who respect the property and lives of others, and who contribute positively to society.
We must build a generation driven by ambition and motivated to improve itself. A generation that wants to succeed and help lift the country to a higher level. That will only happen if we commit ourselves to meaningful educational opportunities, vocational training and skills development without hesitation or delay.
If we continue to neglect education, Curaçao will not move forward.
In the end, we will all pay the price.
Erwin Raphaëla is a reporter and a well-known columnist