Fifteen years ago, education in Bonaire, Saba and Sint Eustatius was integrated within the Dutch education system. On 13 April the Education Council will publish a comprehensive analysis of the functioning of the Dutch education system on the islands of Bonaire, Saba and Sint Eustatius. To what extent is it possible to deliver good education on the islands within the framework of that system?
The islands of Bonaire, Saba and Sint Eustatius became part of the Netherlands on 10 October 2010. As a result, the Dutch Minister of Education, Culture and Science assumed responsibility for education on the islands. This meant that education on the islands became an integral part of the Dutch education system. Since then, the Dutch government in The Hague has borne equal responsibility for delivering good education in the European and Caribbean parts of the Netherlands.
In the years since the constitutional changes, government agencies and education organisations have devoted a great deal of attention to resolving individual, urgent issues which demanded short-term adjustments to be made. The biggest adjustments have now been made, and experience has been gained in delivering education and pursuing education policy on the islands within the framework of the Dutch education system.
In this report, compiled at the request of the Minister of Education, Culture and Science (OCW), the Education Council of the Netherlands presents a comprehensive analysis of the functioning of the Dutch education system on the islands of Bonaire, Saba and Sint Eustatius.
The publication consists of three parts:
- Part A: Conclusions and recommendations
- Part B: Featured themes in Bonaire, Saba and Sint Eustatius
- Part C: Background information
The report will be published at 2.30 pm on Monday, 13 April 2026 in three languages (Dutch, English and Papiamentu) on www.onderwijsraad.nl.