Aruba Evening Education Foundation (SAA) Introduces “Starter Program” to Earn a MAVO Diploma in Two Years

To reduce student dropout rates and increasing academic success, the school is introducing an innovative “Starter Program.”

The decision is based on recent evaluations and an in-depth analysis of student performance data. The findings revealed that Year 2 has consistently experienced a high dropout rate. Traditionally, after accelerated promotion and student attrition throughout the academic year, only about one-third of the original student cohort remained or advanced to the next level. This resulted in unsatisfactory outcomes and highlighted the need for a fundamental restructuring of the existing program, along with more intensive student support.

A Fair Opportunity for All Students Through the Starter Program
The new Starter Program will begin at the start of the academic year and continue through the end of November. During this period, all students will receive instruction at the Year 3 level, supplemented by one hour of remediation and academic support. This support component has been permanently incorporated into the schedule of all students participating in the program.

This approach gives students a fair opportunity to demonstrate that they are capable of performing at the MAVO level without being dependent on an entrance examination. The entrance test has been eliminated because the new management considers it unnecessary within the framework of the revised program. The only admission requirement for the Starter Program is that applicants must be at least 16 years old.

At the beginning of December, students who meet the promotion requirements will officially advance to Year 3. These requirements include:

• no more than one failing grade (5), or two grades of 5 with sufficient compensating points;
• successful completion of the Information Technology certificate;
• a minimum class attendance rate of 80 percent;
• a positive recommendation from their mentors.

Students who have not yet reached the required level by December may enroll in a special academic support program between January and April. This program is designed to prepare them for admission as regular students in the following academic year.

For the first year of implementation, AvondMAVO has established a clear objective: at least 40 percent of students enrolled in the Starter Program should successfully advance to Year 3.

Changes to the Exemption Policy
As part of the new policy for the 2026–2027 academic year, AvondMAVO Aruba is also revising its subject exemption policy for Year 3 students.

Previously, students could only receive an exemption from a subject for one academic year if they had achieved a final grade of 7 or higher in the previous year. Under the new policy, students may qualify for an exemption with a final grade of 6 or higher. These exemptions will remain valid for ten years.

This change aligns the administration of Year 3 exemptions with the existing policy governing Year 4 subject certificates.

The revised policy is intended to encourage students to continue their studies and prevent them from becoming discouraged by having to repeat subjects in which they have already demonstrated the required level of proficiency.

The school board will play an important role in guiding and advising students regarding these decisions to ensure that they align with each student's individual examination and educational goals.

Through these changes, AvondMAVO Aruba is adopting a more realistic, motivating, and results-oriented approach focused on measurable outcomes. As stated in the school's strategic plan:

"Change is difficult at the beginning, complicated during the transition, but ultimately rewarding. This new approach better serves our target group, increases opportunities for advancement, and reduces structural dropout rates while maintaining the high quality of education."