WILLEMSTAD – School boards in Curaçao are sounding the alarm about the social and emotional problems among students. In the past one and a half years, seven students have died due to various causes. The situation has worsened due to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, requiring urgent additional resources for youth assistance.
WILLEMSTAD
– School boards in Curaçao are sounding the alarm about the social and emotional problems among students. In the past one and a half years, seven students have died due to various causes. The situation has worsened due to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, requiring urgent additional resources for youth assistance.
Royla Paula-Pierre, director of the Roman Catholic Central School Board (RKCS), explained yesterday during a presentation to the Central Committee of the Parliament that students’ mental health is severely affected. She emphasized that these problems reflect broader societal issues. “What happens at school reflects what is happening in the community,” she said.
Royla Paula-Pierre, director of the Roman Catholic Central School Board (RKCS), explained yesterday during a presentation to the Central Committee of the Parliament that students’ mental health is severely affected. She emphasized that these problems reflect broader societal issues. “What happens at school reflects what is happening in the community,” she said.
In recent years, social and emotional problems among students have increased, leading to a rise in aggression, insecurity, depression, and even suicidal thoughts. “The number of students under the care of psychologists or psychiatrists has increased,” said Paula-Pierre. School boards have repeatedly asked the government to release the backlog funds to provide extra assistance, but so far without results.
In recent years, social and emotional problems among students have increased, leading to a rise in aggression, insecurity, depression, and even suicidal thoughts. “The number of students under the care of psychologists or psychiatrists has increased,” said Paula-Pierre. School boards have repeatedly asked the government to release the backlog funds to provide extra assistance, but so far without results.
Backlog Funds
Backlog Funds
The school boards want to use the backlog funds to deploy more social workers. “Our care teams are the first line of assistance,” explained Paula-Pierre. “They are the first to come into contact with the children and provide support.” The additional resources would also be used for internal coordinators who can offer additional support.
The school boards want to use the backlog funds to deploy more social workers. “Our care teams are the first line of assistance,” explained Paula-Pierre. “They are the first to come into contact with the children and provide support.” The additional resources would also be used for internal coordinators who can offer additional support.
Three years ago, the school boards united and sent a joint letter to the Ministry of Education, outlining the issues and requesting backlog funds. Since then, they have sent five letters without any response.
Three years ago, the school boards united and sent a joint letter to the Ministry of Education, outlining the issues and requesting backlog funds. Since then, they have sent five letters without any response.
In her address to the parliamentarians, Paula-Pierre indicated that the situation is so serious that schools cannot handle the problems without additional assistance. “Many students live below the poverty line and do not get enough to eat. We must help these children.”
In her address to the parliamentarians, Paula-Pierre indicated that the situation is so serious that schools cannot handle the problems without additional assistance. “Many students live below the poverty line and do not get enough to eat. We must help these children.”
She pointed out two specific cases: one death in December last year and another earlier this year. “The loss of a student is a huge blow to parents, care teams, teachers, and classmates,” said Paula.
She pointed out two specific cases: one death in December last year and another earlier this year. “The loss of a student is a huge blow to parents, care teams, teachers, and classmates,” said Paula.
The call from the school boards was followed with interest by the members of parliament. The president of the parliament, Charetti America-Francisca, concluded the meeting with the promise that parliament will discuss the issue again soon. “We must ensure that our children receive the support they need,” she said.
The call from the school boards was followed with interest by the members of parliament. The president of the parliament, Charetti America-Francisca, concluded the meeting with the promise that parliament will discuss the issue again soon. “We must ensure that our children receive the support they need,” she said.
https://www.curacaochronicle.com/post/main/school-boards-in-curacao-sound-alarm-seven-deaths-due-to-socio-emotional-issues/
Comment