Four teachers in Aruba have successfully completed the UNESCO Ocean Literacy program for Educators, earning their certification on February 5th.
The 12-week program was organized through a collaboration between UNESCO Aruba and Aula di Lama, part of the Iberostar Foundation. It explored key topics related to the ocean and the environmental challenges it faces. The initiative forms part of the United Nations Decade of Ocean Science.
The certified teachers are Brooke Barrett from School House, Susanne Spanjers-Steeghs from YNZ Montessori, Jasmin Kelly from Cacique Macuarima, and Gyseth Arends from Edu Campus. Additional educators are invited to participate in the second round of the UNESCO Ocean Literacy program, which begins in March.
For Aruba, an island surrounded by the sea, ocean literacy is particularly important. However, it is often not fully integrated into the school curriculum. The international UNESCO online program presents ocean-related topics within a global context, highlighting the ocean’s connection to the wider world.
The partnership with Aula di Lama adds local relevance to the program by offering weekly sessions that connect global concepts to Aruba through local examples, field trips, and hands-on classroom activities at minimal cost. The local component was presented by Jean Paul Moquette, founder of Coastal & Marine Management, and Christie Mettes, lecturer at the University of Aruba.
The next cycle of the UNESCO Ocean Literacy program will run from March 5 to June 25 and will cover topics including:
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The importance of the ocean in sustaining life on Earth
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Public benefits of the ocean
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Marine pollution
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Over-exploitation of ocean resources
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Climate change
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Sustainability challenges
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Marine protection
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Sustainable solutions
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UN Decade of Ocean Science
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Ocean Literacy Framework
This initiative continues to strengthen environmental education in Aruba and promote greater awareness of the ocean’s critical role in everyday life.
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