THE HAGUE - The way in which the Netherlands wants to help Curaçao through the corona crisis will not lead to the bankruptcy of education in that country, but will actually contribute to better education. This is the answer that Undersecretary Knops of Kingdom Relations gives on behalf of Minister of Education Slob to written questions from Members of Parliament Stieneke van der Graaf and Eppo Bruins (both ChristenUnie):
Question 1) Do you know the message "Education is bankrupt"?
Answer 1) Yes, I am familiar with the message.
Question 2) Can you confirm that the Ministry of Education, Science, Culture and Sport intends to cut back 18% on special education in Curaçao, in addition to the 12.5% that teachers are already required to surrender?
Answer 2) No, I have heard, also through the media, that an internal memo has been drawn up at the Ministry of Education, Science, Culture and Sports of Curaçao about possible future cuts, but that nothing has been decided yet. It was also mentioned that Prime Minister and Interim Minister of Education Rhuggenaath regrets the unrest that has arisen in society about the contents of the memo.
Question 3) To what extent is the proposed cutbacks a consequence of the requirements that the Dutch cabinet has imposed on the government of Curaçao with regard to the aid package that was granted in the context of the corona crisis? If this is the case, do you think these cutbacks are an adequate implementation of these requirements?
Answer 3) There is no question of a consequence of the requirements that the Dutch cabinet has imposed on the government of Curaçao in the context of the aid granted. The Netherlands has indicated that the total package of employment conditions for all employees in the (semi) public sector (including public companies and publicly funded foundations and other institutions that are financed for at least 50 percent from the budget) should be reduced by 12.5 percent. However, the exact interpretation of this is up to the country of Curaçao itself.
Question 4) Do you share the opinion that a thorough impact analysis is important in case of any cutbacks and that the government in Curaçao should do everything in its power to ensure that children do not suffer from cutbacks?
Question 5) Do you share the opinion that it is difficult to explain that there is such a significant difference in the financing of public and special education on Curaçao?
Question 6) Do you share the concerns about the political-administrative management of education in Curaçao and the inadequate funding? What opportunities do you see for improving this?
Question 7) Are you willing to discuss the above with the government of Curaçao in the short term?
Answers 4, 5, 6 and 7) I share your views on the importance of good education in the Caribbean countries. This is absolutely necessary to make societies resilient and to give children a future. Education is therefore an explicit part of the country packages that are also discussed with Curaçao. The reforms in education proposed by the Netherlands will start with a thorough, joint review of the current state of education, which will also include governance and funding. Based on the results of this review, it will then be discussed with the countries which measures are necessary.