The crisis impacts every single student, say student unions. Photo: Shutterstock. If the House of Representatives has its way, students who have fallen back in their studies due to the corona crisis will be permitted an extra year to study, free of tuition fees. The motion (links to Dutch content) to this effect, filed by D66 and GroenLinks, obtained a majority vote.
The student unions consider this too meagre and call to have the provision apply to all students. After all, there is no such thing as a carefree study time during the corona crisis. Students fall back, lose their jobs, struggle with feelings of loneliness and are extremely worried about their future.
Everyone impacted
Student unions want all students to have an extra tuition-free year to obtain their degree. Each student is impacted in one way or another by the crisis, they state. ‘Some may have fallen back, others have had to increase their loans due to loss of employment’, says Lyle Muns, chair of the National Student Union (Dutch acronym LSVb). ‘Moreover, everyone misses out. Both in terms of general development and quality of education.’
He is supported by the Groningen Student Union (GSb). ‘We missed a year and a half of our general development, are dissatisfied with the quality of our education and have paid for the crisis in increased mental health issues’, says chair Marinus Jongman. ‘Offering compensation for just some of us is insufficient.’
Back on track
Gijs Rotteveel, chair of the Student Alliance Wageningen, weighs in. He petitions with the other unions for an extra year of tuition-free education and an extension of student grants, additional grants and travel-provision. Moreover, students should be permitted to loan for an extra year, says Rotteveel. ‘The union feels these plans are of paramount importance to adequately compensate students and get them back on track.’
Who pays?
The bill should not be footed by the universities and university colleges, Muns of the LSVb underscores. ‘This proposal is to be financed by the ministry of education.’
The LSVb also considered whether this will be too costly. Muns says the cost is relatively low compared to the ‘tens of billions in provisions made available for employers and employees.’
The GSb has announced protests if the House of Representatives fails to meet the demands. The D66 and GroenLinks motion will be put to the vote on Tuesday, 9 February.
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