Willemstad/Philipsburg:--- The Centrale Bank of Curaçao en Sint Maarten (CBCS) has rolled out the educational project “Money Week” to primary schools in Curaçao and Sint Maarten this week. With this initiative, the CBCS aims to make children aware of the value of money, the importance of saving, and the need to make financial choices at a young age.
This week, all primary schools will receive a number of cash boxes containing play money banknotes and coins in the Caribbean guilder. Teachers can use these cash boxes during math lessons to teach money and financial topics in a playful, practical way.
Money Week opened in Sint Maarten at the Oranje Primary School. There, CBCS Sint Maarten interim director Dwayne, and Minister of Education Melissa Gumbs, jointly delivered a guest lecture to the children in group 5 at the school. Minister of Finance Marinka Gumbs and CBCS employee Ghyslaine Rollocks-Petrona also contributed to the kick-off with a guest lecture at Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Primary School. During these guest lectures, students learn more about the new Caribbean guilder, and responsible money management is discussed interactively.
In Curaçao, Money Week was also formally opened with a guest lecture by CBCS President Richard Doornbosch, along with Prime Minister Gilmar Pisas and CBCS employee Shekinah Dare, at Kolegio San Hosé in Barber. The closing of the Money Week takes place on Friday, March 27, at the Johan van Walbeeckschool, where Minister of Education Sithree van Heydoorn, together with CBCS Executive Director Leila Matroos-Lasten, will deliver the final guest lecture.
In addition to the opening and closing lectures, CBCS staff will give guest lectures to group 5 students at various schools in Sint Maarten and Curaçao later this week. The primary schools, which had previously been informed about the project, responded particularly enthusiastically to the initiative. The CBCS received a large number of requests for guest lectures in a short period and is very pleased with the positive response from the schools.
With the launch of this project, the CBCS underscores its commitment to promoting financial self-reliance within the communities of Curaçao and Sint Maarten. In line with this social responsibility, the Money Week – inspired by the Dutch version – has been included in the CBCS's strategic planning for 2026–2028. Money Week takes place annually in March; the first edition runs this year from March 23rd through March 27th.
Willemstad, March 23, 2026
CENTRALE BANK VAN CURAÇAO EN SINT MAARTEN