Aruba and the Netherlands will be working closer together in the field of education, culture, science and emancipation.
Since, Bonaire, St. Eustatius and Saba became Public Entities of the Netherlands, the Netherlands and Aruba have come a bit closer together and the interest to work together has become even greater. Minister of Education, Culture & Science, Marja van Bijsterveldt-Vliegenhart, together with the Aruban Minister of Justice and Education Arthur Dowers, has today placed her signature under an agreement which ratifies this cooperation. Van Bijsterveldt is happy with the agreements: “With this we can further improve the education in the Caribbean for pupils and students”. Dowers views the signing of this protocol as a confirmation of the already good cooperation between Aruba and the Netherlands: “Herewith we demonstrate commitment to work together and underscore mutual interests in the area of education, culture and science”.
Education
For pupils and students who would like to pursue their education career in various parts of the Kingdom, it is important that education is properly aligned. The Netherlands also aims for a more intensive cooperation with the teachers training college on Aruba to promote the professional development of prospect teachers and teachers already working in the Caribbean region. There will also be among others closer cooperation in the supervision of education, the good command of the Dutch language and the maintenance of compulsory education.
Culture and research
In order to strengthen science in the Caribbean, a knowledge network will be established where in any case Carmabi on Curacao and a multi-functional knowledge centre on St. Eustatius are participating. Furthermore, the Netherlands Organization for Scientific Research (de Nederlandse Organizatie voor Wetenschappelijk Onderzoek NWO) will establish a broad research programme ‘Wetenschap in de Caribbean ‘ (Science in the Caribbean) with scientists and researchers from the Netherlands and the Caribbean. In the area of monuments care the existing cooperation will be continued. A new subject in the cooperation is attention for the intangible heritage, a strong point in Aruba.
Aruba and the Netherlands are of the opinion that they, by joining hands together and exchanging knowledge with each other, could work more effective and more efficient.