WILLEMSTAD – The Education Inspectorate has concluded in its latest report that Curaçao’s secondary vocational education (SBO) still does not meet the minimum quality standards required to properly prepare students for the workforce or further study.
According to the report, internal quality assurance, student guidance, examination procedures and alignment with the labor market are inadequate across many programs. As a result, the Inspectorate states that the vocational system does not meet the basic conditions needed to ensure reliable qualifications and equal opportunities for students.
Institutions Struggling With Quality Requirements
The report highlights that many institutions face difficulties implementing the quality processes mandated by law. School boards often lack up-to-date data, clear quality objectives and the capacity needed to drive improvements. In several cases, little or no oversight is carried out on the quality of lessons and examinations, leaving students vulnerable to inconsistent standards between programs.
Student Support Falling Short
Student guidance is also flagged as a weak point. The Inspectorate notes that many students do not receive the support required to progress smoothly through their studies. Examination procedures show structural shortcomings as well, raising concerns about the reliability and credibility of issued diplomas.
The link between vocational programs and the labor market is described as insufficiently developed, resulting in graduates who may not possess the skills employers demand.
Large Gaps Between Institutions
The Inspectorate emphasizes that these deficiencies are structural and affect multiple institutions. At the same time, disparities within the system are significant: while a few programs perform adequately, others fall far below basic quality levels. This leads to unequal educational opportunities for students depending on where they enroll.
The report forms part of a broader evaluation, which also identifies shortages of qualified teachers, weak supervision of private training providers and limited availability of internship placements as key risk factors undermining the quality and effectiveness of vocational education in Curaçao.