ORANJESTAD, ARUBA – The Ombudsman of Aruba, Ms. Jurima Bryson, LL.M., has sent a letter of concern to the Minister of Education and Sports, Gerlien Croes LL.M. regarding the manner in which examination results in secondary education are publicly announced in Aruba.
While celebrating academic achievements is an important tradition within Aruban society, the Ombudsman has received signals indicating that certain forms of public announcements negatively affect students who did not pass or who are still awaiting confirmation of their results.
According to the Ombudsman, the rights and interests of the child must be the primary consideration when final exam results are communicated. This includes the right to privacy, human dignity, and psychosocial well-being. Since a significant number of exam candidates are minors, the provisions of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC) are also relevant.
The Ombudsman notes that public announcements may directly or indirectly reveal which students have not passed. This can lead to feelings of embarrassment, stigmatization, and emotional distress. Therefore, the Ombudsman considers it important that examination results first be communicated individually and confidentially to students and their parents or legal guardians.
In the letter of concern, the Ombudsman makes several recommendations to Minister Croes. These include developing a uniform policy framework for the announcement of examination results, placing privacy, dignity, and student well-being at the center of the process. The Ombudsman also recommends that participation in public celebrations be voluntary and that schools strengthen awareness regarding children’s rights and privacy protection.
More information on this matter can be found in the letter of concern concerning the announcement of examination results in secondary education. The full letter is available on the Ombudsman’s website, www.ombudsman.aw/en/publications/
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