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Building Aruban Education Episode CCXII - 212
Etnia Nativa writes Island-Insight, focusing on various
aspects of native knowledge, transcendental wisdom,
and the importance of upholding cultural identity. This
column aims to educate its readers and encourage
them to embrace a genuine island state of mind. In this
episode, Etnia Nativa shares the beginnings of educa-
tion in Aruba.
The first inhabitants of Aruba were animists and prac-
ticed various forms of worship and belief systems.
When the Spanish conquerors arrived, the native in-
habitants were subjected to colonization and efforts
to Christianize them. The exact timeline of the con-
version process is not well documented, but histori- Vista was eventually abandoned, tad. These included one government/
cal evidence suggests that Juan Manuel Martinez de and a new church was constructed public school, one for girls, and one
Manzanillo, bishop of Caracas, Curacao, Bonaire, in North (Noord), which later became for boys, providing education up to
and Aruba, visited our island around 1593 to perform known as St. Anna. It is worth noting the 6th grade. After 1916, two more
the Sacrament of Confirmation. This indicates that the that around 1780, a shipwreck caused grades were added (U.L.O.), and in
conversion had already started before this period. an epidemic known as the black fever 1938, MULO (a 10-grade program)
or death, resulting in the loss of a signifi- became the standard for Oranjestad
cant part of the settlement’s popula- schools.
However, there was no permanent church building in
Aruba until the arrival of the Dutch in 1636. The Dutch tion. Both the Church and the Govern-
occupation complicated matters further, as they ment believed that the people should In 1924, the oil industry arrived, with
forbade visits from priests from the continent, and in relocate to a healthier area. companies like Eagle and Lago Pe-
1639, the Dutch West Indian Company formally insti- troleum Corporation. Lago started an
tuted a prohibition on the Roman Catholic religion. The present Alto Vista chapel was built apprentice program in 1935 to teach
Overall, a combination of Spanish and Dutch influ- close to the same site where the first young men English and trade skills in
ence marked the history of religious conversion in church stood. The chapel houses an preparation for work within the refin-
Aruba, alongside the persistence of Catholic priests authentic and original cross that was ery. Aruba’s first trade school was es-
who maintained contact with the local population saved from the first church. A descen- tablished in 1952.
despite official prohibitions. dant of a former church member do-
During 1700s, the descendants of Spaniards and in- nated the cross. Additionally, there are Prior to the arrival of the oil industry,
digenous people formed a settlement in an area that a couple of graves in the chapel yard, Aruba was predominantly Catholic,
is now known as Alto Vista. They conducted their re- where the first fiscals were buried short- with a presence of Dutch Reformed
ligious services in different houses until a chapel, was ly after the opening of the first church Protestants and Jews who did not
constructed in 1750. in North. have an official place of worship. How-
ever, with the establishment of refiner-
Since there were no permanent priests available, fis- By 1825, there were two schools on the ies immigrants from approximately 40
cals (lay officials) were appointed to oversee the re- island. The public school offered Prot- different nationalities settled on the
ligious affairs of the community. The first known fiscal estant teaching in Dutch, while the Ro- island. Churches of various denomi-
was Domingo Antonio Silvestre, followed by Miguel man Catholic school provided educa- nations were established, particularly
Enrique Alvarez. The mention of their ability to read tion in Spanish. In the late 1800s, nuns in and around San Nicolas. However,
and write is significant because it indicates the be- arrived and took on teaching duties these denominations did not introduce
ginning of education during that time. They had the until 1909. their own schools or schooling systems.
responsibility to teach others. This suggests that edu- Lago, on the other hand, constructed
cation has started to emerge in the community. By 1875, there were schools in Oran- a school following American standards
jestad, North, and Santa Cruz. Interest- for the children of its employees.
Under the leadership of the fiscal, the church at Alto ingly, only Dutch was taught in Oran-
jestad, both in the public and Roman We highly recommend visiting Etnia
Catholic schools. In North and Santa Nativa on site if you have a keen inter-
Cruz, Papiamento, the local language, est in experiencing Aruban native cul-
replaced Spanish. By the turn of the ture. The owner’s first-hand knowledge
century, a school in Sabaneta taught and explanations add authenticity to
in Papiamento. In 1899, a small Protes- the experience, immersing you in Aru-
tant school in Piedra Plat had already ba’s rich history and cultural heritage.
been established, although it did not The place is an incredible “cabinet of
expand significantly. In the 20th centu- curiosities.”
ry, education began to firmly establish
itself, and parish schools received ade- To arrange a visit, contact etniana-
quate subsidies and legal recognition. tiva03@gmail.com or WhatsApp (mes-
sages only) at +297 592 2702. Appoint-
By 1916, there were schools in North, ments are necessary to ensure a per-
Santa Cruz, Sabaneta, and Oranjes- sonalized and immersive experience.q