School Year 2026-2027: Maximum Cap of 24 Students Per Class Remains in Effect
ORANJESTAD – The Ministry of Kingdom Relations, Education, Youth, Innovation, and Sports announces the continuation of the policy to limit class sizes in pre-school (kindergarten), elementary, and secondary education for the 2026-2027 school year.
This policy, officially introduced the 2025-2026 school year, primarily aims to guarantee high-quality education and the overall well-being of both students and teachers. In recent years, the workload in education has continuously increased, which can compromise the individual attention every student deserves. To directly address this challenge, the Ministry remains dedicated to promoting and maintaining smaller, well-balanced classes.
Expected Benefits of the Policy
By maintaining the cap of a maximum of 24 students, the following key benefits are anticipated:
- More Individual Attention: Teachers will have more room and time to adapt to the specific needs and developmental pace of each student.
- Higher Job Satisfaction: A direct reduction in workload for educational staff will positively contribute to their motivation and overall vitality.
- Improved Academic Performance: Smaller groups, particularly in the crucial early stages of development, have a proven positive impact on learning outcomes.
Enforcement of the Minimum Class Size
In addition to the maximum cap, the Ministry is also enforcing the established minimum class size: a class must generally have a minimum of 16 students. This lower limit remains essential to ensure the efficient use of resources and to foster a healthy, constructive, and social group dynamic among the students. The goal is for classes to remain stable within a range of 16 to 24 students.
Implementation, Collaboration, and Evaluation
The Ministry is fully aware of the logistical and organizational challenges these guidelines may present for school planning and staffing. Therefore, all school boards are called upon to apply the standard as accurately as possible, while naturally taking into account school building capacities and available personnel.
If a school is at risk of falling outside the established margins due to force majeure or exceptional circumstances, the Ministry is completely open to direct dialogue to seek collaborative solutions. The Ministry of Education reaffirms its commitment to working closely with school boards, the Directorate of Education, and the Education Inspectorate to ensure a healthier school environment and a solid educational support structure for the future of Aruba.