Kaile Finies: Dutch language widens gap between authorities and people in Bonaire

The Dutch language, despite being the official language on the island of Bonaire, is not spoken by the local population, leading to a growing disconnect between the authorities and the people, Kaile Aranxta Elizabeth Finies, co-founder of Movement for Change, said.

According to Report, speaking at the conference "Bonaire’s Pathway from Baku through UN General Assembly to Self Determination" in Baku, Finies highlighted that Dutch is also the primary language of instruction in Bonaire's schools, creating significant challenges for children who grow up speaking Papyamento.

"Kids, full of curiosity and eagerness to learn, are forced to do so in a foreign language. This leads to a substantial educational gap, resulting in many young people struggling to keep up with global developments. Children feel alienated in their own schools," she stated.