Language in education
Language of instruction in Bonaire
In Bonaire, Papiamentu is the language of instruction in the first two classes, with Dutch as a “strong foreign language”. This means that Dutch is taught as an important subject. From form three of primary school, the pupils are taught in Dutch. At secondary school, Scholengemeenschap Bonaire, Dutch is the instruction language. In secondary education in Bonaire, Papiamentu has the status of “important subject”.
Language of instruction in St. Eustatius and Saba
Students are taught in English in primary and secondary education in St. Eustatius and Saba. Dutch is a so-called “strong foreign language” on these islands. This means that Dutch is taught as a subject, using Dutch as a Foreign Language (Nederlands als Vreemde Taal, NVT) didactics. Dutch is a strong language at these schools because it is important to the students; for instances, for a course of study in the Netherlands or a future job with the local government. Therefore the school curriculum places more emphasis on Dutch than on other foreign languages such as Spanish or French.