WILLEMSTAD – The implementation and enforcement of compulsory education on Curaçao are structurally inadequate, allowing children to stay out of school for extended periods without effective government intervention. This is stated in a formal letter of concern sent by the Ombudsman of Curaçao to the Minister of Education, Culture, Science and Sport.
According to the Ombudsman, persistent shortcomings exist within the organization responsible for enforcing compulsory education. These include poor accessibility, slow follow-up on reports of school absenteeism, and insufficient personnel and organizational capacity to address truancy effectively. As a result, children who are not attending school are not receiving the protection intended under the compulsory education law.
The Ombudsman stresses that prolonged absence from education has far-reaching consequences for children’s well-being and future prospects. When compulsory education is inadequately enforced, children risk falling permanently outside the education system, limiting their opportunities for personal development and their ability to become self-sufficient later in life.
In the letter, the Ombudsman calls on the minister to take concrete action. Proposed measures include improving the accessibility and response time of the responsible agency, strengthening staffing levels and operational capacity, and structurally improving cooperation between schools, social support organizations and relevant ministries. Such coordination, the Ombudsman argues, is essential to ensure that children do not disappear from view when they stop attending school.
The letter of concern was addressed to the Minister of Education, Culture, Science and Sport, with a copy sent to the Curaçao Parliament. This places the issue firmly within the political and administrative arena. The Ombudsman has indicated a willingness to further explain the concerns and is awaiting the minister’s response.
