What key initiatives are currently underway to modernize Suriname's education system? How are you addressing challenges such as access, quality, and teacher training?
Suriname is approaching a significant milestone—50 years of independence, which we will celebrate on November 25, 2025. Historically, we adopted an education system from the Netherlands, our former colonial power. However, we have been working for years to transform this system into one that better aligns with the needs of our society.
One major reform is the integration of primary education into a new 10-year school system, focusing more on a student-centered approach. This transition has been challenging, but we are investing heavily in teacher training, new textbooks, curriculum updates, and assessment reforms.
Another key priority is aligning education with the needs of Suriname’s growing economic sectors. Industries such as mining (gold, oil, gas, and bauxite), agriculture, tourism, wood processing, and the service sector—especially call centers—are expanding. However, a major challenge is the availability of skilled labor. While Suriname has a relatively young population, we need to equip them with the right competencies to meet labor market demands.
To bridge this gap, we are investing in vocational education and technical training. The oil and gas sector, in particular, is set to boom over the next decade, creating significant opportunities. Our ministry is under considerable pressure to modernize vocational education, aligning curricula with industry demands.
Additionally, we are enhancing distance learning through ICT implementation. Many communities in Suriname’s remote southern regions, including indigenous and Maroon populations, face difficulties accessing quality education due to geographical challenges and climate change-related issues like flooding. To address this, we are expanding digital learning platforms and improving infrastructure.
Overall, our educational transformation involves not just building new schools but also supporting teachers and school leaders—who are the key agents of change. Though the transition comes with resistance, we have made significant progress over the past three years.
Can you elaborate on how technology and innovation are being used in schools to prepare students for a tech-driven future?
Technology is revolutionizing education worldwide, and Suriname must keep pace. Traditional classroom structures, where students sit in rows and the teacher dominates the lesson, are evolving. We need to shift towards more individualized and differentiated learning approaches.
In some advanced systems, students receive weekly assignments and work at their own pace, with teachers acting as facilitators rather than sole instructors. Implementing this model in Suriname will take time, but it’s necessary.
One of our biggest challenges is the short school day. Currently, primary schools operate from 8:00 AM to 12:30 PM, lower secondary schools from 7:30 AM to 1:00 PM, and upper secondary schools from 7:00 AM. This results in only 4.5 to 5 hours of effective learning per day. We are considering extending school hours to 3:00 PM or 5:00 PM, but this would require societal adjustments, as families organize their work and home lives around the current schedule.
A technology-driven curriculum is essential, especially with the rapid evolution of labor market demands. The oil and gas boom, for example, requires new skills that didn’t exist 10 or 20 years ago. We need to invest in computer skills, practical training, and real-world workplace experiences.
Vocational schools, in particular, must receive more investment in advanced technology training. It’s not just about learning to use technology but understanding how to work with and innovate using technology.
What efforts are being made to document, preserve, and promote Suriname’s cultural heritage, particularly among younger generations and internationally?
Suriname is an incredibly diverse country, home to multiple ethnicities, languages, and religions. We have communities with roots in India, Indonesia, China, Africa, and even a historic Jewish population. More recently, we have seen increased migration from Brazil, Venezuela, Cuba, and Haiti, further enriching our cultural landscape.
Despite economic and social challenges, Suriname remains a stable and peaceful society. Unlike some neighboring countries struggling with violence and crime, we have maintained harmony, and we must continue to preserve this way of life.
Cultural preservation is crucial, but it requires investment. Many of our historical buildings, monuments, and traditions need maintenance and promotion. UNESCO plays a key role in this effort. Suriname has been a UNESCO member since gaining independence in 1975, and we actively work with the organization to safeguard our cultural heritage.
One challenge is the decline in traditional languages. For example, younger generations of Indian and Javanese descent are not learning Hindi or Bahasa Indonesia as fluently as previous generations. While Dutch remains the primary language of education, we recognize the need to preserve these cultural identities.
Tourism also plays a role in cultural preservation. We need to integrate more of our history and heritage into educational materials—not just for our own people but for visitors as well.
Are there any key international partnerships helping to improve education and scientific research in Suriname?
We actively collaborate with international organizations and donor partners. UNESCO supports various cultural and educational initiatives, while institutions like the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) and the World Bank provide funding for major projects.
Recently, we secured a $40 million IDB loan for English language education, digital connectivity, curriculum development, and vocational training. This investment will be critical over the next five years.
We are also engaging with Saudi Arabia, which is increasingly interested in Suriname due to the oil sector. Canada and China have been major players in gold and infrastructure projects. Meanwhile, India has contributed significantly to the medical and cultural sectors.
Despite these partnerships, Suriname must improve its investment climate. We need to refine our policies and become more client-oriented in business interactions to attract more foreign investors.
Finally, what would you like to say to Newsweek readers considering Suriname as a destination for tourism or investment?
Suriname is a land of opportunity. We are rich in natural resources and offer an attractive investment climate across various sectors, including oil, mining, tourism, and agriculture.
The tourism sector, in particular, has immense potential. Nature tourism is thriving, with breathtaking waterfalls, pristine rainforests, and diverse wildlife. Visitors from Europe often find our untouched nature truly remarkable.
Our culinary scene is another highlight—Surinamese cuisine is a fusion of European, Caribbean, Latin American, and Asian flavors, offering a unique gastronomic experience.
As a nation, we must continue developing our infrastructure, workforce, and investment policies. The coming years, especially with the oil and gas industry’s growth, will be pivotal.
Suriname is sitting on a "golden chair" of opportunities, and we need to recognize and harness this potential. With the right policies, investments, and international partnerships, the future looks bright for Suriname.
