Papiamentu also plays an important role in education. On Bonaire, Papiamentu and Dutch are the languages of instruction in elementary school. The language policy reflects the linguistic reality of children and recognizes the importance of a strong foundation in one’s native language for learning other languages.
The goal is not only for children to be able to speak Papiamentu, but also for them to learn to read and write the language well. The administrative agreement on Papiamentu in Bonaire sets a goal that by 2030, all children graduating from school will have a good command of Papiamentu in speaking, reading, and writing.
For more information about the languages of instruction in schools: https://english.rijksdienstcn.com/education-culture-science/parents-students/language-in-education.
The Administrative Agreement on Papiamentu on Bonaire was signed on March 11, 2021, by the Kingdom and the Public Entity of Bonaire. The purpose of the agreement is to protect and promote Papiamentu and to further anchor the language’s status within existing laws and regulations.
For more information: https://english.rijksdienstcn.com/latest/news/2021/march/11/governance-agreement-to-protect-papiamentu-on-bonaire
The administrative agreement: https://www.eerstekamer.nl/overig/20210323/bestuursafspraak_voor_het/meta
