Aruba

by Paul Bacsich, Sero

Aruba is an island in the Caribbean which is a separate member state of the Kingdom of the Netherlands.

Geographically, it is a 33-kilometre (21 mi)-long island of the Lesser Antilles in the southern Caribbean Sea, 27 km (17 mi) north of Venezuela. Together with Bonaire and Curaçao it forms a group referred to as the ABC Islands of the Leeward Antilles, the southern island chain of the Lesser Antilles. It has a land area of 193 km2 (75 sq mi).

Its population is just over 100,000.

Its capital (and largest city) is Oranjestad.

Aruba has no administrative subdivisions.

Unlike much of the Caribbean region, Aruba has a dry climate and an arid, cactus-strewn landscape. This climate has helped tourism as visitors to the island can reliably expect warm, sunny weather - it lies outside the hurricane belt.

Most of the Arubans speak four languages; Dutch, Spanish, English and Papiamento.

Education in Aruba

(sourced mainly from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aruba)

Aruba's educational system is patterned after that in the Netherlands - and provides for education at all levels. The Government finances the national education system, except for private schools, such as the International School of Aruba (ISA), which finance their own activities. The percentage of money earmarked for education is higher than the average for the Caribbean/Latin American region.

Arubans benefit from a strong primary school education. A segmented secondary school programme includes vocational training (VMBO), basic education (MAVO), college prep (HAVO) and advanced placement (VWO).

There are 68 schools for primary education, 12 schools for secondary education and 5 higher education institutions. In 2007, there were 22.930 fulltime students registered.

Schools

In addition to the state schools, there is the International School of Aruba. This is a non-profit, co-educational, English language school. It was founded in 1929. In 2005, a new campus was constructed, and ISA was relocated to the centreof the island of Aruba. The school is a US State Department assisted school. The school is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Council on Accreditation and School Improvement (SACS-CASI). A full successful accreditation review was conducted in May, 2008. The school has approximately 155 students from Montessori (3 yrs. old) through grade 12. The student body represents 22 countries. The average class size is 10.

Higher education

Higher education goals can be pursued through the Professional Education programme (EPI), the teachers college (IPA) and through the University of Aruba (UA) - http://www.ua.aw - this offers bachelors and masters programmes in law, finance and economics and hospitality and tourism management.

There are also two private universities in Aruba:

1. All Saints University of Medicine - http://www.asumaruba.org
2. Xavier University, School of Medicine (XUSOM) - http://edu.xusom.nl

All courses are presented in English. Both school curricula are based on the United States medical school model and will lead to a Doctor of Medicine degree that is recognized in North America.

Since the choice for higher education on the island itself is limited, many students choose to study abroad in countries in North America, South America as well as Europe. Favoured countries are Netherlands, the United States, Venezuela and Columbia.

ICT in education in schools

Systemwide use of ICT in schools in Aruba has not progressed at a rate commensurate with the country’s economic success. Chief barriers are the absence of ICT policy or ICT prioritization in education, a concomitant lack of funds, and teachers’ inadequate mastery of ICT skills. However, the Aruba Pedagogical Institute (IPA), trains all primary teachers and houses the School of Tomorrow project (www.schooloftomorrowipaaruba.com), which supports two ICT pilot schools as well as a technology-rich model classroom that facilitates experimentation with ICT integration, teaching to multiple intelligences, and development of collaborative and project-based learning activities.

In primary education, not all schools have computers and even less internet access.

As for secondary education, over 33% of secondary schools have computers and Internet connections (WAN). Students primarily use these computers to build ICT skills and to prepare for ICT exams. IT curricula include use Microsoft Office productivity tools.

Educational software is available in both primary and secondary school to reinforce learning in Dutch language, math, language arts, and science.

Non-formal, distance, and open modes of education are not currently factors in Aruban school education at this time.

Source: Gaible E., 2008, Survey of ICT and Education in the Caribbean: A summary report based on 16 Country Surveys. Washington DC, InfoDev

Distance learning at post-secondary level

There is a Centre for Lifelong Learning and some plans for developing this in future - see http://www.ua.aw/ua/getPage.do?page=ABOUT_UA

Some students in Aruba study with the Dutch Open University - see for example http://dspace.ou.nl/bitstream/1820/1035/1/Dissertation%20Dewiyanti%202005.pdf

However, the LOI seems to be the most popular choice - http://www.loi.nl/index.htm.

References

1. Nuffic Country Module - Aruba, http://www.nuffic.nl/international-organizations/services/docs/diploma-recognition/country-modules/country-module-aruba.pdf
2. Aruba, http://education.stateuniversity.com/pages/74/Aruba.html
3. Marta Dijkhoff and Joyce Pereira, The University of ArubaLanguage and education in Aruba, Bonaire and Curaçao, http://www.benjamins.com/cgi-bin/t_articles.cgi?bookid=CLL%2036&artid=449134511
4. Gaible E., 2008, Survey of ICT and Education in the Caribbean: A summary report based on 16 Country Surveys. Washington DC, InfoDev

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