Education should reflect the local reality, culture, language, history, and lived experiences of Bonaire's children. For decades before 2010, Bonaire's schools were staffed largely by local, Papiamentu-speaking teachers who understood the island's social and cultural context. Following the constitutional changes of 2010, significant reforms aligned education more closely with Dutch European standards.

Bonaireans recall that approximately 40 local educators were gradually pushed out and replaced by foreign, non-Papiamentu-speaking teachers. This shift prioritized Dutch European educational norms over Bonaire's Caribbean reality, creating a system increasingly disconnected from the language, culture, and experiences of local students.

Similar changes occurred within the leadership of Scholengemeenschap Bonaire (SGB). Lydia Emerencia, one of the last locally based directors and a respected academic and former Lieutenant Governor, was replaced during a broader transition toward directors recruited from the European Netherlands. According to parents and students, externally based management and curricula have weakened students' sense of identity, belonging, and connection to Bonaire.

Teaching Bonaire's History or Erasing It?- If it is clear by international human rights fundamentals that education is by rights as it is a deliberate attempt and action by Dutch Education Ministry and condone as accomplice by the local Bonaire based leadership and government to exclude and not prioritizing  equally important in the local education the inclusion of Bonaire's history in education. Children have the right to learn about the island's past, including its Indigenous heritage, colonial history, cultural development, and the struggles and achievements that have shaped the community. 

With the constitutional changes of 2010, the education system has become increasingly aligned with Dutch European curricula while giving insufficient priority to Bonaire's own history, culture, and local realities. This has marginalized local knowledge and weakened students' understanding of their heritage and identity.

Language rights, identity, and equal opportunity.- The importance of language is mandatory. For generations, Papiamentu has been the language of the people of Bonaire and remains central to cultural identity and social life.

Article 29(1)(c) of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child provides that a child's education shall be directed to the development of respect for the child's parents, cultural identity, language, and values, as well as for the national values of the country in which the child lives, the country from which the child originates, and for civilizations different from their own.

After BHRO human rights focused approach and intervention at Dutch Ministry and Human Rights Council level, even the Dutch Ministry of Education has acknowledged and replied by writing to BHRO the importance of Papiamentu and the need for education that reflects the cultural background of students on Bonaire. The Dutch Ministry has also recognized that every child has the right to develop to their full potential and that equal opportunities in education must be protected.

Parents, students, and a growing call for justice.- Concerns raised to BHRO by parents, educators, and civil society organizations through testimonies, complaints, letters, and petitions signed by more than 250 parents, stakeholders, and teachers continue to highlight issues involving language policy, equal opportunities, parental participation, cultural representation, and educational outcomes.

These concerns have led BHRO to pursue formal complaints, petitions, submissions to United Nations human rights mechanisms, and discussions within the Dutch Parliament.

What Future Are We Preparing Our Children For?- As this series will demonstrate, the debate is not simply about schools, examinations, or academic performance. It is about whether education on Bonaire adequately reflects the language, culture, history, identity, and lived realities of Bonairean children while preparing them to participate fully in society and contribute to the island's future.

Can the right to education be fully realized if Bonairean children are not taught in a way that reflects their language, culture, history, community, and lived experiences while preparing them for the future of Bonaire?

James Finies – Founder BHRO

Motorworld, the regional distributor for GAC, together with HSM Motors, officially launched the GAC brand in Trinidad & Tobago on Friday, June 12, at HSM Motors’ newly constructed GAC showroom in Chase Village.

The launch marks a significant milestone for both companies, introducing one of China's fastest-growing automotive brands to the Trinidad & Tobago market through a partnership focused on quality, innovation, and long-term customer support.

The new showroom showcases GAC’s expanding lineup of vehicles, combining modern design, advanced technology, and internationally recognized engineering standards. The launch introduces five world-class vehicles to local roads simultaneously — the GAC GS3 Emzoom, GAC Emkoo, Aion V, Aion UT, and Aion ES — with more models, including the flagship Hyptec HT luxury SUV, arriving in July 2026.

Speaking at the launch, Mikhail Hosein, CEO of HSM Motors, highlighted the strengths that attracted the company to the GAC brand.

“GAC stood out unequivocally when we surveyed the global automotive landscape. Their joint ventures with Toyota and Honda have instilled a culture of precision, safety, and durability into their DNA. We are backing this lineup with fully stocked parts departments, trained technicians, and industry-leading warranties — our customers are getting world-class vehicles they can truly depend on.”

Motorworld Chairman Tariq Amjad emphasized the strategic importance of the partnership and the confidence both organizations have in GAC’s future within the market.

“GAC’s relentless commitment to engineering excellence sets them apart. We are proud to partner with HSM Motors, whose significant investment in showroom facilities, aftersales support, training, and parts inventory demonstrates a long-term commitment to making GAC one of the most trusted automotive brands in Trinidad & Tobago.”

The launch further strengthens GAC’s growing presence across the Caribbean, where the brand is now represented in more than 20 island markets. Through Motorworld’s regional distribution network and strong dealer partnerships, GAC continues to expand its footprint by delivering world-class vehicles backed by comprehensive aftersales support and customer-focused service.

With a reputation for engineering excellence, advanced technology, and exceptional value, GAC has earned the trust of drivers throughout the region. The introduction of the brand to Trinidad & Tobago represents another important milestone in GAC’s Caribbean growth story, bringing consumers a compelling blend of innovation, safety, reliability, and modern design.

PHILIPSBURG:--- The House of Parliament will sit in a Central Committee meeting on June 23, 2026.

The Central Committee meeting, which was adjourned on May 25, 2026, will be reconvened on Tuesday at 14.30 hrs. in the Legislative Hall at Wilhelminastraat #1 in Philipsburg.

The Minister of Public Housing, Spatial Planning, Environment and Infrastructure will be returning to Parliament to provide the answers to questions posed by the Members of Parliament.

The agenda point is:
Nature policy Plan Sint Maarten 2025-2029 (IS/365/2025-2026 dated November 18, 2025)

Members of the public are invited to the House of Parliament to attend parliamentary deliberations. All persons visiting the House of Parliament must adhere to the house rules.

The House of Parliament is located across from the Court House in Philipsburg.

The parliamentary sessions will be carried live on Soualiga Headlines, via SXM GOV radio FM 107.9, via Pearl Radio FM 98.1, the audio via the internet www.sxmparliament.org, www.pearlfmradio.sx and www.youtube.com/c/SintMaartenParliament

MARIGOT, Saint Martin---  Every mother deserves access to information and support as she begins one of life's most important journeys. With that belief in mind, the Rotary Club of St. Martin Sunset presented a large digital television screen to the maternity ward of Louis Constant Fleming Hospital on June 17, 2026, to help strengthen maternal and child health education for families across the island.
The television will be installed in a dedicated educational room where expectant and new mothers can view instructional videos and demonstrations on essential topics such as breastfeeding, bathing newborns, infant care, and other practices that support the health and well-being of both mother and child.
The donation reflects Rotary's commitment to Maternal and Child Health, one of Rotary International's key areas of focus. Through projects such as this, the club continues to invest in healthier futures for families and provide resources that empower parents with the knowledge and confidence needed to care for their children.
"One of the greatest gifts we can give a child is a healthy start in life, and that begins with supporting mothers," said Rotary Club of St. Martin Sunset President Alex Pierre. "We are honored to partner with Louis Constant Fleming Hospital in creating opportunities for learning that will benefit families long after they leave the maternity ward. Every parent deserves access to information that helps them give their child the best possible start."
The Rotary Club of St. Martin Sunset remains dedicated to addressing the community's needs through service projects that create lasting impact and improve lives. By supporting education and wellness initiatives, the club continues to make a difference for the most vulnerable members of society and help build stronger, healthier communities.
The Rotary Club of St. Martin Sunset meets every second and fourth Monday at 7:00 p.m. at Carl & Sons Unique Inn in Cole Bay.
For more information about the club and its community service projects, follow the Rotary Club of St. Martin Sunset on Facebook at Rotary Club of St. Martin Sunset and on Instagram at @rotarysxmsunset.