Extra Journaal Curaçao News Broadcast – September 21, 2026

A growing number of teenage girls in Curaçao are struggling with emotional and psychological problems, prompting a public conversation about how schools can better respond. Local outlet Nu.cw is inviting readers to weigh in on what measures schools should take to support affected students. Alongside rising mental health concerns, data indicates that the share of girls who find school enjoyable — even somewhat — is declining. The dual trend of worsening emotional wellbeing and decreasing school engagement raises concerns about long-term educational outcomes for young women on the island. Mental health support in school settings has increasingly become a topic of discussion across the Caribbean, where resources for youth counseling remain limited in many communities. The public forum reflects a broader recognition that schools may need to expand their pastoral and psychological support roles beyond academics.

The iconic Queen Emma Pontoon Bridge has been returned to its place in Willemstad's harbor, restoring one of Curaçao's most recognizable landmarks. The floating bridge connects the Punda and Otrobanda neighborhoods, and its return means pedestrians can once again cross freely between the two sides of the city. The bridge is a beloved feature of Willemstad's historic waterfront and plays a central role in daily life for both residents and visitors. Its absence had disrupted foot traffic between the two districts, which are separated by the Sint Anna Bay. The restoration of the bridge completes the familiar panorama of the harbor area, a scene that is deeply associated with Curaçao's cultural identity.

Several journalists from the Caribbean parts of the Kingdom of the Netherlands gathered at the Nederlands Journalistiek Festival in Deventer to discuss climate journalism and share their experiences. The Fonds Bijzondere Journalistieke Projecten (Fonds BJP), a Dutch fund supporting special journalistic projects, invited the Caribbean journalists to participate in the event. The journalists represented islands including Curaçao and other Dutch Caribbean territories, bringing a unique regional perspective on how climate change is reported in small island communities. Climate journalism is particularly significant in the Caribbean, where rising sea levels, hurricanes, and coral reef degradation directly threaten daily life and local economies. The festival provided a platform for cross-Kingdom dialogue, allowing Caribbean voices to be heard alongside mainland Dutch journalists. The exchange highlights growing recognition that climate storytelling from vulnerable island regions deserves dedicated attention and resources within the broader Dutch media landscape.