WILLEMSTAD - The Minister of Education Sithree van Heydoorn does not want any premature conclusions about Curaçao education. The minister indicated this in a letter to the Dutch Ministry of the Interior and Kingdom Relations.
The Netherlands is making an amount of almost 30 million euros available for maintenance of Curaçao schools. In exchange, the Netherlands wants a so-called baseline measurement to take place. During a baseline measurement, the competence of teaching staff is tested and mapped, among other things. According to van Heydoorn, a baseline measurement can lead to misunderstanding and negative emotions.
The Minister also believes that the three countries in which the baseline measurement is performed, namely Curaçao, Aruba and Sint Maarten, cannot be compared with each other. This must be taken into account in the baseline measurement. “The situation of education in Curaçao does differ from the other countries in size, legislation and complexity. A 'one size, fits all' approach and solution is the wrong approach," he argues.
Van Heydoorn points out in his letter that he is the responsible minister and therefore also the responsible one in carrying out the research. He will therefore set up a working group Zero Measurement Education with the participation of members of the education inspectorates of Curaçao and the Netherlands. The Inspector General of Curaçao will lead the working group and the Dutch Inspectorate will act as a counterpart.
Although both are responsible for the preparation and implementation of the baseline measurement, the minister emphasizes once again that Curaçao is 'in the lead' in the investigation. Finally, Van Heydoorn wants the research to be carried out and completed as quickly as possible and for the most part to build on existing research and documentation.