KRALENDIJK - The Strategic Education Alliance (SEA) program — a key cooperation initiative between the governments and educational institutions of Aruba, Curaçao, St. Maarten, and the Netherlands — has been extended through December 31, 2028. The program aims to strengthen educational opportunities and improve study success rates for students from the Caribbean parts of the Kingdom.
SEA focuses on creating smoother transitions to higher education, better academic guidance, and stronger exchange opportunities. Its initiatives range from study and internship exchanges across the Kingdom to enhanced mentoring and orientation programs for Caribbean students in the Netherlands.
The agreement was signed during the Ministerial Four-Country Consultation on Education, Culture and Science (M4LO) held this week on Bonaire, where the education ministers of the four countries met to discuss collaboration and policy development. The Netherlands also represented the public entities of Bonaire, St. Eustatius, and Saba at the meeting.
Minister Moes: “We Must Harness All Talent Within the Kingdom”
Dutch Minister of Education, Culture and Science Eelco Moes praised the extension as a major step in strengthening education ties within the Kingdom.
“We want to make full use of all the talent in our Kingdom,” Moes said. “Together with my fellow ministers from the Caribbean countries, we’ve worked hard to build stronger partnerships in education, culture, and science. This has already led to success — we now have a solid network of teachers, mentors, and advisors who guide young people from the Caribbean in choosing the right studies and developing their talents.”
Scholarships, Mentorship, and Study Exchanges
Through the SEA program, students at the vocational (MBO), higher professional (HBO), and university (WO) levels can apply for Kingdom scholarships that support study exchanges or internships in another part of the Kingdom. Participating Dutch colleges and vocational institutions collaborate to improve both the entry and success rates of Caribbean students.
Many institutions now offer special orientation days and mentorship programs for students arriving from the islands. Each year, more than 1,600 students from the Caribbean parts of the Kingdom begin their studies in the Netherlands.
Addressing the “Brain Drain”
Another key focus of the new agreement is “brain gain” — encouraging skilled graduates to return and contribute to their home islands. The ministers agreed to work closely with educational institutions and employers to create opportunities for young professionals, helping to combat local labor shortages and retain talent within the region.
Expanding Teacher Training Through Kibrahacha Program
The ministers also announced the expansion of the successful Kibrahacha program, which currently supports teacher training for primary education on Aruba, Bonaire, and Curaçao. The initiative will soon include secondary and vocational education teacher training. Discussions are also underway to launch a similar program on St. Maarten and the Windward Islands.
The Kibrahacha model combines academic coursework with practical classroom experience, with school-based trainers playing a key role in mentoring future teachers.
Joint UNESCO Heritage Nominations
Finally, the M4LO meeting established a new procedure for joint Kingdom nominations to the UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage List. The Netherlands has already secured listings for the miller’s craft, flower parade culture, and Rotterdam’s summer carnival, and future nominations may now include cultural traditions from the Caribbean parts of the Kingdom.
The renewed SEA program and related initiatives mark another step toward deeper educational cooperation, talent development, and cultural connection across all parts of the Kingdom of the Netherlands.
