NON-STATE ACTORS IN EDUCATION
2.2 Non-state education provision
3.1 Regulations by distinct levels of education
- Early childhood care and education (Entry/Establishment ○ Financial operation ○ Quality of teaching and learning ○ Equitable access ○ Quality assurance, monitoring and accountability)
- Primary and secondary education (Entry/Establishment ○ Financial operation ○ Quality of teaching and learning ○ Equitable access ○ Quality assurance, monitoring and accountability)
- Tertiary education (Entry/Establishment ○ Financial operation ○ Quality of teaching and learning ○ Equitable access ○ Quality assurance, monitoring and accountability)
3.3 Supplementary private tutoring
The National Ordinance on Secondary Education (Landsverordening voortgezet onderwijs) of 1979and the Early Childhood Education Act of 1998 distinguish between public schools (maintained by the “Country”) and special schools or ‘Bijzonder onderwijs’ (maintained by a natural person or by a private entity)
2.1 State education provision
State schools
The education system in Curaçao is derived from the system in the Netherlands. Education is free and compulsory. Compulsory education spans for 14 years (ages 4 to 18) and includes primary, secondary and pre-university secondary education.
The primary education level comprises the Foundation based education (Funderend Onderwijs) for children aged 4-6 and a subsequent level of Foundation based education or primary education for children aged 6-12. Secondary education includes academic basic secondary education[SL1] (Basisvorming HAVO/VWO) for children aged 12-15 and pre-university secondary education (VWO3-6). There are other pathways for secondary education including academic secondary education (HAVO 3-5), pre-university secondary education (VWO 5+6) and preparatory vocational education (VSBO basisvorming).
According to UNICEF’s Situation of Children and Adolescents in Curaçao (2013) although education is ostensibly free, many schools ask parents to pay a monthly fee because state funding is not enough to cover for teachers or educational materials. The books for more advanced educational levels are expensive as they are purchased in the Netherland, representing an additional challenge for parents from low-income households.
There are both public and private secondary schools. Public senior general secondary education (HAVO/VWO) schools on Curaçao are: the Maria Immaculata Lyceum, the Peter Stuyvesant College and the Raduphus College. Private schools are the Vespucci College, the Omega College and the Abel Tasman College. [SL1]
Non-state managed, state schools
No information was found.
Non-state funded, state schools
No information was found.
2.2 Non-state education provision
Independent, non-state schools
Most schools in Curaçao are government subsidized and only a few are private owned and managed.
International schools such as the International School of Curaçao (ISC) and the Curaçao American Preparatory School (CAPS) offer English as the first language of instruction for grades K3 through 12. ISC also has an ECCE program called First Steps for 2-year-olds. The school curriculum of this school follows the American system and includes the IB program for students in grade 11 and 12.
State-funded (government-aided), non-state schools
Almost all schools on Curaçao are government aided schools. According to UNICEF, public schools are divided into Roman Catholic schools (60 per cent) and Protestant, Christian, Adventist, humanist, and government schools (30 per cent). Representatives of these schools form the School Board, a committee that makes decisions related to educational policies
Contracted, non-state schools
No information was found.
2.3 Other types of schools
Homeschooling
According to HSLDA, in 2019 the Minister of Education launched a pilot program for homeschooling families in order to improve the legal situation in Curacao. While homeschooling is not recognized by law, five families were granted permission in 2019 to homeschool their children.
Market contracted (Voucher schools)
No information was found.
Unregistered/Unrecognised schools
No information was found.
Curaçao is a constituent country of the Kingdom of the Netherlands. Education is governed by the Ministry of Education, Science, Culture and Sport. Every year, the Ministry publishes a State of Education Report which provides information on the state and quality of education at all education levels, the compliance with laws and regulations and the state of financial supervision. The latest report available covers the academic year 2018-19.
The Public Schools Service (DOS), acts as a school board for all public schools of Curaçao on behalf of the Competent Authority, the Country of Curaçao. The DOS has been in existence since 1999 and as a service responsible for the development of public education. The DOS functions relatively independently, within the administrative constellation, but falls under the Implementing Organization of the Ministry of Education, Science, Culture and Sport.
Private education institutions are governed by their own education boards; however the Ministry of Education, Science, Culture and Sport has oversight over quality and education standards.
3.1 Regulations by distinct levels of education
Early childhood care and education falls under the governance of the Ministry of Education. It includes high scope education or Kresh for children aged 0-4 which is not compulsory, and Foundation based education (Funderend Onderwijs) which is compulsory and is targeted for children aged 4-6.
A national regulation of 30 December 1998 regulated pre-primary education in Curaçao.
Registration and approval: The Ministry of Education, Science, Culture and Sport approves and establishes the conditions for the establishment of private pre-primary institutions across the island.
Licence: According to the national regulation on pre-primary education, natural persons or legal entities might establish a school.
Profit-making: No information available.
Taxes and subsidies: No information available.
Quality of teaching and learning
Curriculum and education standards: No information was found.
Teaching profession: The national regulation on pre-primary education establishes the conditions that teachers need to fulfil to provide pre-primary education. Teachers must have a certificate of competence as referred to in article 32 of the National Ordinance on Secondary Education (Landsverordening voortgezet onderwijs). It is not clear whether this applies to all types of school in the country.
Admission selection and processes: No information was found.
Fee-setting: No information was found.
Policies for vulnerable groups: No information was found.
Quality assurance, monitoring and accountability
Reporting requirements: No information was found.
Inspection: According with the law, an Inspector will ensure compliance with regulations.
Child assessment: No information was found.
Two laws regulate basic education in Curaçao. The National regulation for basic education (Landsverordening) of 2008 and the National Ordinance on Secondary Education (Landsverordening voortgezet onderwijs) of 1979, which is still valid, regulates secondary education in the island. Provisions in Section I govern public and publicly funded private schools.
Registration and approval: No information was found.
License: The National regulation for basic education (Landsverordening) of 2008 and the National Ordinance on Secondary Education (1979) establish that a natural personal or a legal entity may obtain a license to establish a private school.
Profit-making: No information was found.
Taxes and subsidies: No information was found.
Water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH): No information was found.
Quality of teaching and learning
Curriculum and education standards: According to the State of Education Report for the academic year 2018/19 there has been an increase in the percentage of schools that meet the standards for compliance with legislation and regulations as well as quality assurance. This includes both publicly funded schools and private schools.
Textbooks and learning materials: No information was found.
Teaching profession: Teachers must have a certificate of competence as referred to in article 32 of the National Ordinance on Secondary Education (Landsverordening voortgezet onderwijs). It is not clear whether this applies to all types of school in the country.
School management/ board: The Public Schools Service (DOS), acts as a school board for all public schools of Curaçao. Private schools have their own school boards.
Corporal punishment: Corporal punishment is unlawful in schools under the Civil Code as amended in 2011.
Other safety measures and COVID-19: As a result of the Covid-19 pandemic, the time devoted for the Fundamental Education Final Test was extended by 15 minutes with the purpose of reducing pressure of students and giving them more rest. The normal length of the examination prior to the pandemic was of 60 minutes.
Policies for vulnerable groups: No information was found.
Fee-setting: No information was found.
Admission and selection processes: According to the National regulation for basic education (Landsverordening) of 2008, admissions for a pupil to a special education is only refused on the basis of religious or ideological reasons or demonstrable lack of space, but not on the basis of the language background of the pupil or on the basis of insufficient development in the educational areas.
Quality assurance, monitoring and accountability
School board: Education is governed by private and regular boards.
Reporting requirements: No information was found.
School inspection: The Education Inspectorate is responsible for supervising all local types of education. The Inspectorate is headed by an Inspector General who is supported by eight inspectors and a secretariat. The main objective of the inspectorate is ensuring compliance with education laws and regulations as well as quality requirements. According to the National Ordinance on Secondary Education (1979), the supervision of a secondary school is entrusted to the Minister of Education.
Fee-setting: No information was found.
Student assessment: The Expertise Center for Tests and Exams is the executive organisation within the Ministry of Education, Science, Culture and Sports that is responsible for the construction, production, and revision of the Fundamental Education Final Test. In 2021, 55 schools participated in the final test, including regular and private schools.
Diplomas and degrees: No information was found.
Sanctions: No information was found.
Many students in Curaçao choose to pursue their higher education in the Netherlands or in the USA even if the government provides incentives for students to attend university in Curaçao. According to UNICEF, the Dutch Government funds studies in either Curaçao or the Netherlands. The requirements for the latter are Dutch nationality and that the subject to be studied is not offered in Curaçao (and is recognized by the Dutch Government). An SBO, HAVO or VWO diploma is also required, depending on the type of tertiary education. Annually, 1,000 students apply to study in Curaçao and 300 to study in the Netherlands.
According to Nuffic, higher education is offered by different institutions such as the University of Curaçao, which is recognized by the Stat and subsidized by the government. The University of the Dutch Caribbean located in Willemstad is a government-recognized institution that is not funded by the government. The Curaçao Institute for Social and Economic Studies (CURISES), formerly part of the University of the Netherlands Antilles (UNA) became an independent institution in 2009. CURISES founded the Intercontinental University of the Caribbean, which has established partnerships with recognized Dutch and American universities.
There is no evidence of a regulation governing private higher education in Curaçao.
Registration and approval: No information was found.
Licence: No information was found.
Profit-making: No information was found.
Taxes and subsidies: No information was found.
Quality of teaching and learning
Curriculum and education standards: No information was found.
Teaching profession: No information was found.
Equitable access No information was found.
Fee-setting: No information was found.
Admission selection and processes: No information was found.
Quality assurance, monitoring and accountability
Board: No information was found.
Reporting requirements: No information was found.
Inspection: No information was found.
Assessment: No information was found.
Diplomas and degrees: No information was found.
Sanctions: No information was found.
3.2 Supplementary private tutoring
Several companies and individuals offer private tutoring in Curaçao, in particular language courses. However, there is no evidence of a commercial or education law regulating supplementary private tuition.
No information was found.
Financial operation and quality
No information was found.
No information was found.
