Croes: List reveals urgent needs at 43 schools; renovations require Afl. 173.6 million

ORANJESTAD — Education Minister Gerlien Croes on Thursday published on her Facebook page an overview of the estimated costs to renovate 43 schools across different districts of Aruba. The figures paint an alarming picture: urgent work is needed almost everywhere, while according to Croes, not a single school has undergone a complete renovation since 2016.

The list divides the schools into five districts and gives the following subtotals:

Noord/Tanki Leendert: 10 schools — Afl. 25,999,463.64

Paradera/Ayo/Piedra Plat: 6 schools — Afl. 27,135,942.91

Santa Cruz: 9 schools — Afl. 42,861,900.00

Savaneta/Pos Chikito: 5 schools — Afl. 15,964,531.45

Cura Cabai/Brazil/San Nicolas/Weg Fontein: 13 schools — Afl. 61,650,403.25

STRONG REACTION

Minister Croes reacted strongly to the findings and criticized politicians who were previously responsible for education and infrastructure.

“The official overview has come in, and with this I just want to say that some politicians should simply remain quiet in the coming years, because where were you all those years?” Croes said.

NO RENOVATIONS SINCE 2016

According to the minister, not a single school has been fully renovated since 2016, despite Aruba having had different education ministers during that period, as well as a former prime minister who had previously been responsible for infrastructure.

Croes said Aruba has approximately Afl. 40 million per year available to invest in all of the country’s needs. The amount required for the schools alone is several times greater than the government’s entire annual investment capacity.

“Ladies and gentlemen, sorry, but enough with the cheap politics in this country. Who do you really care about?” the minister said. “Everywhere is an emergency right now in our schools. This really cannot continue.”

DIFFERENCE IN THE TOTAL

A calculation of the five published subtotals results in a total of Afl. 173,612,241.25. However, the final total shown in the overview is Afl. 137,612,241.25. That is a difference of exactly Afl. 36 million.

It is not yet clear whether this is a calculation error in the document, whether one of the subtotals should not be included in the overall total, or whether there is another explanation. Based on the individual district figures presented, the total comes to Afl. 173.6 million.

Even though the official total still needs clarification, the list confirms that the backlog in school maintenance and renovation has grown to a level that the government would struggle to address within a single budget year. The challenge now is to set priorities, identify financing and present a concrete timetable for the schools with the most urgent needs.