WILLEMSTAD – Proposed legislation aimed at modernizing and structurally strengthening special education in Curaçao will be debated in a public meeting of the Curaçao Parliament on August 28, the Minister of Education announced during the official opening of the 2026–2027 school year.
The Landsverordening Speciaal Funderend Onderwijs, or National Ordinance on Special Primary Education, is intended to strengthen the legal and structural foundation for education provided to children with special educational needs.
The minister described the upcoming parliamentary debate as an important step toward greater recognition, modernization and structural improvement of special education.
According to the minister, special education should not be viewed as a peripheral part of Curaçao’s education system, but as an integral component that demonstrates the strength, creativity and resilience of students and educators.
“Our students in special education show us every day what perseverance means,” the minister said. “They deserve education that supports them, stimulates them and allows them to shine.”
The proposed legislation is being presented as part of a broader effort to create an education system in which children have access to appropriate, high-quality education regardless of disabilities or other challenges.
The minister said the legislation represents more than an administrative or policy change. The government considers it a broader societal decision about inclusion, equal opportunities and the rights of children.
“It is a choice for humanity, for justice and for the future of our children,” the minister said.
The announcement comes at a time when special education has become an increasingly important issue in Curaçao. Schools and education authorities are facing growing demand for specialized support, making the development of a stronger framework for special education particularly relevant.
The public parliamentary meeting scheduled for August 28 will give legislators an opportunity to debate the proposed ordinance and its implications for the future organization of special education on the island.
The minister said the ultimate objective should be an education system in which every child, regardless of background, talent or challenge, is given the opportunity to thrive.