Aruba has officially entered a new phase in Aruba vocational education partnership following the signing of a collaboration agreement between Minister of Education Gerlien Croes and ROC Mondriaan of the Netherlands.
The agreement, signed on Friday morning, marks a significant step in strengthening Beroepsonderwijs (vocational education) and continuous practical learning in Aruba. Through this partnership, Colegio EPI, Stichting Educacion Profesional Basico (SEPB/EPB), and OABA are formally recognized as collaboration partners.
All participating institutions share a commitment to high-quality, attractive, and future-oriented education. The collaboration establishes a solid foundation for knowledge exchange, expertise sharing, and educational innovation between Aruba and the Netherlands.
Colegio EPI serves as Aruba’s institute for middle-level vocational education (MBO), offering four units and 19 study programs at BOL and BBL levels 3 and 4, in addition to training under Lifelong Learning (Leven Lang Ontwikkelen – LLO).
SEPB focuses on secondary education and MBO level 2, while OABA provides adult education and MBO programs from level 1 through 4, including continuous professional training.
ROC Mondriaan, one of the Netherlands’ largest vocational education institutions, offers approximately 240 MBO programs across 24 schools and has extensive experience in adult and professional education. Through this collaboration, ROC Mondriaan will work closely with Aruba’s institutions to enhance educational quality, curriculum development, and institutional capacity.
Key Focus Areas of the Collaboration
In the coming years, the partnership will focus on:
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Updating and improving qualification structures, including examinations and quality assurance
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Flexible education models and expansion of Lifelong Learning (LLO)
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Exchange programs and work visits for teachers and students
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Support for potential applications to the Regional Investment Fund (RIF)
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Addressing modern educational themes such as artificial intelligence, team development, and equal opportunities
The agreement outlines the general principles of collaboration, while additional agreements will define specific arrangements for individual schools and target groups.
The partnership is effective from January 1, 2026, through January 1, 2030, with the intention to further develop, extend, or renew the agreement.
With this milestone, the Government of Aruba reaffirms its commitment to investing in strong, modern, and practice-oriented education, creating better opportunities for students and strengthening Aruba’s workforce for the future.
