THE HAGUE–The Second Chamber of the Dutch Parliament on Tuesday adopted a motion of Antje Diertens of the Democratic Party D66 to give the libraries in Bonaire, St. Eustatius and Saba a more prominent role in educating islands’ residents.
Member of Parliament (MP) Diertens submitted a motion last week Wednesday during a debate with the topic “Life-long learning.” In the motion, she requested the Dutch Government to look into how libraries can play a more prominent role, while giving content to the life-long learning policy in the Caribbean Netherlands.
According to Diertens, libraries can play an important role in individual personal development and in providing societal opportunities for the general public. She contended that education, self-study and personal development can create job prospects and a better connection with society.
“It is important that we fight functional illiteracy and that we stimulate people to learn everywhere in the Kingdom,” said Diertens on Tuesday after the voting in the Second Chamber. All parties voted in favour of her motion, with the exception of the Party for Freedom PVV.
“This brings us a step closer to fighting poverty in the Caribbean Netherlands,” said Diertens. Minister of Education, Culture and Science Ingrid van Engelshoven supports Diertens’ motion. She stated during last week’s debate that she would be most interested to see how the concept of life-long learning could be promoted in the libraries on the three islands.
Diertens said the libraries can be a centre where people can make a start to learn skills that stimulate self-reliance and contribute to personal development. In cooperation with the social partners, workshops and courses can be given in which people can learn about a healthy lifestyle, for example.
“The library is a social gathering place where everyone is welcome to learn to read and write, so everyone gets an opportunity to participate in society. Knowledge empowers people to take control of their own destiny. Knowledge of language has a positive effect on people’s wellbeing, health, self-reliance and their chances on the labour market,” said Diertens.
The MP remarked that many adults in the Caribbean Netherlands have trouble with reading and writing, and many are not computer literate. “That is why it is important to stimulate people to learn in an accessible manner, and to inspire people to take the next step in permanent education,” she said.
Offering, for example, reading groups, writing courses, agricultural courses, healthy lifestyle courses, adult education and gatherings for job-seekers means investing in the existing libraries which on the islands often still have a traditional function. Former Bonaire Commissioner Nina den Heyer was instrumental in Diertens’ initiative.
Source: The Daily Herald https://www.thedailyherald.sx/islands/75296-motion-adopted-for-life-long-learning-at-islands-libraries
View comments
Hide comments