Surinamese President Jennifer Simons has declared that the comprehensive restoration of the nation’s education system will extend throughout 2026, with particular emphasis on addressing the needs of children requiring specialized educational support. The announcement was made during her weekly address on Radio 10’s “90 Seconden” program on Saturday.
The educational overhaul initiative, termed “education repair,” entails structural improvements across the entire academic framework. President Simons emphasized the fundamental right of every child to secure classroom placement while acknowledging systemic shortcomings in accommodating students with special needs. “Our current school system indeed lacks proper adaptation for these children,” Simons conceded. “We previously maintained better facilities, and we must restore those capabilities.”
A national education congress scheduled for March 2026 will convene all stakeholders to establish definitive policy directions. The president expressed confidence that this collaborative effort would produce a clear, widely-supported action plan to elevate educational standards. Simons projected an approximate one-year timeline to bring the system to acceptable operational levels.
The administration acknowledges persistent challenges, including teacher shortages that disrupt regular instruction in some schools. International support is being provided through the Inter-American Development Bank to assist Suriname’s educational enhancement efforts.
During the radio program, listeners raised concerns about delayed teacher salary payments. President Simons confirmed addressing this issue with Education Minister Dirk Currie, noting that partial arrears have been cleared with remaining cases undergoing resolution. The head of state suggested that increased government digitalization could systematically reduce such administrative complications in the future.