Minister Marja van Bijsterveldt of Education Culture and Science at the beginning of the school year wished all pupils in secondary and vocational education in Dutch Caribbean a ‘wonderful and strong school year’.
The wish was communicated by means of a video message which was shown on August 15th on all schools of secondary and vocational education. Minister Van Bijsterveldt spoke in both Dutch and English.
“As Education Minister I really want just one thing: for all pupils in the Netherlands, hence also on Saba, Sint Eustatius and Bonaire, to have the best possible education”, said the minister.
“I’d like to compare education to filling a backpack. You learn a lot about languages, mathematics, history and all the other subjects. But you also learn how to deal with others, how to have a speech, how the world works and how to present yourself. At the end of your school career your back pack is full of all this knowledge and abilities. Very valuable luggage, that you will enjoy for the rest of your life.
The minister concluded her speech with a wish for “a wonderful and strong school year, for the pupils as well as their parents, teachers and school leaders.”