WILLEMSTAD – Teachers’ union DOEN has labeled the upcoming academic year a “decisive” one, urging education workers to stand together in the fight for improved working conditions and greater recognition. 

The union pointed out that it had already presented its proposal, Ban Komplementá, two years ago, a plan designed to improve appreciation for education personnel. Despite this, DOEN says too little has been done to address long-standing concerns. 

According to the union, Curaçao’s education system is struggling due to a lack of structural management and consistent investment. “Our education is deteriorating without proper governance and the structural investments that are urgently needed,” DOEN stated. The result, it argues, is that teachers and staff are carrying an unsustainable burden. 

Teachers Carry the System 

“Based on this reality, it is the education workers who hold our system together — and they therefore deserve much better treatment,” DOEN’s board declared. 

The Ban Komplementá plan outlines a series of proposals aimed at strengthening appreciation for teachers and ensuring that their contributions are recognized through better labor conditions. 

Call for Collective Action 

The union has called on the broader community, alongside education employees, to join forces in addressing unresolved issues and to push for decisions that have long been delayed. 

“Teachers keep our education system standing,” the union stressed. “They deserve fair recognition and conditions that reflect the value of their work.”