The Ministry of Education has officially approved the new promotion standards for primary schools under the Public Schools Service (DPS).

With this decision, the ministry establishes a regulatory and pedagogical framework to ensure all schools evaluate whether a student qualifies for promotion to the next grade level in a uniform, fair, and transparent manner.

The main objective of these standards is to provide structure while acknowledging that every child is unique. For this reason, the new policy places a high priority on measurable evaluation to guarantee equal opportunities for all students.

Adapted Evaluation for Students with Special Educational Needs

Supporting the principle that education must be tailored to the unique situation of each student, the ministry, in collaboration with the Public Schools Service (DPS), is introducing a dedicated focus on supporting students who require extra guidance in their learning process or development.

The policy includes:

• Compliance with care procedures: For all students with an officially diagnosed intellectual disability or developmental disorder—such as SLI (Speech and Language Impairment), dyslexia, dyscalculia, ASD (Autism Spectrum Disorder), or ADHD—established care procedures and compensatory measures must be strictly and carefully followed.
• Flexibility over rigidity: Standards for repeating a grade must never be applied rigidly if doing so causes unnecessary damage to the learning development of a student who requires a tailored approach. Developmental potential and targeted assessment must serve as the primary guide.
• Considered and well-founded decision-making: Any major decision regarding grade repetition for a student within this vulnerable group must be explicitly justified. This must take place through open dialogue and close collaboration among the teacher, internal student counselor, support team, and the child's parents or legal guardians.

Efficient Implementation and Monitoring

For effective implementation, parents play an important role by keeping the school properly informed when their child has a situation that requires a specific approach.

The public school board (DPS) will ensure the effective implementation and continuous monitoring of the standards, including guidelines for evaluating specific student cases. The Minister of Education, as the competent authority for public education, is confident that the board will provide the necessary framework and support to all school leaders, thereby ensuring fair and inclusive decision-making within public education.

Minister of Education, Ms. Gerlien Croes, reaffirms her commitment to the quality of education and, in particular, to equal opportunities for all children in Aruba, and thanks the educational staff for their leadership and ongoing dedication to achieving this noble goal.