New Challenge Foundation
ST. EUSTATIUS--The Inspectorate of Education conducted a quality study at New Challenge Foundation (NCF) in November 2021 and did not identify any shortcomings to motivate follow-up monitoring.
The inspectorate plans to visit the school again later this year for an update on the progress and to conduct class visits to determine to what extent the board has succeeded in getting its teachers to improve the effectiveness of their lessons, the Public Entity St. Eustatius stated on its website.
NCF provides education for youth and adults, including general education development (GED), accounting and language courses.
The Inspectorate of Education conducted a study at NCF on November 23, 2021. On the one hand, this research aimed to verify whether the school’s quality assurance system was working properly and whether the basic quality that had been achieved was still in force. Through supervision, the Inspectorate also wanted to encourage the school and the school board to work together on further quality improvement.
According to the Inspectorate, many things are going well. “NCF guides more and more students to paid work, a GED diploma, an MBO-education or a protected workplace. This is successful, because a trajectory is mapped out for each student that fits his or her possibilities and interests and that offers a real perspective,” the Inspectorate said in its report.
It further stated that NCF has a “good” department for care and guidance and the teachers’ pedagogical actions are effective. The team of teachers and supervisors is well-managed, and the quality of education is systematically checked, according to the quality research report.
Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the past year reflected “monumental changes” for Second Chance Education, in its organisational structure and in the role that the school plays in education.
“Transitioning from normal teaching to remote learning was and still is a challenge for NCF staff, our teachers and students,” says NCF director Francine Foe on the public entity’s website. “Because of this, management of NCF has determined that the students could learn more, in some classes. Some of the teachers provide the right methods so that students learn on their own personal level, taking their capabilities into account.”
Foe said NCF management will see to it that teachers have the opportunity to participate in training. “This is to ensure that materials and teaching methods will be provided in such a way that students learn more during each lesson.”
Foe said that NCF management and the supervisory board are thankful for the hard work of staff and teachers. “We will continue to develop professionally to enhance our ability to provide quality education,” she said.
Deputy Government Commissioner Claudia Toet said she is proud of NCF. “The public entity appreciates the effort that NCF and its stakeholders put into the students during the dynamic period of the pandemic. To stayed aligned with all the rules of quality is a great achievement. The public entity empowers the NCF to continue the good work.”
