Universities are protesting for structural investments
The government's cutbacks in academic education must be dropped. Structural investments are necessary in order not to lag behind other countries. To this end, the university staff will demonstrate this Friday in The Hague. Professor Rens Bod of the University of Amsterdam explains why the lecture halls remain empty.
Image: WOinA Actie
What's going on in university education?
“The money that universities receive per student has been decreasing for fifteen years. Staff who leave are not replaced and the workload for university staff is extremely high. Moreover, a growing number of people do not have time to do research in addition to their teaching duties, and that creates a knowledge problem. We cannot offer students what they are entitled to. ”
On the website of WOinA Actie states that there are 68 percent more students since 2000, but that the government grant is 25 percent lower. Bod: “Ultimately, we want to go back to the situation in 2000 and to the amount that was spent on university education at that time. Now there are always cutbacks, such as the 'efficiency discount' of 183 million euros, and the Minister of Finance announced that he would not rule out further cuts. In our opinion, Minister of Education Ingrid van Engelshoven (D66) does not stand up for us enough.”
What are the exact requirements next Friday?
“We want the efficiency discount to be discontinued. Structural investment must be made in university education. We are aiming for 1,15 billion euros per year. This is necessary if you look at countries around us, such as Germany and if we want to meet the standards of the European Union. ”
What do you notice about all the cutbacks?
“The workload is high. I don't get around to doing research until after five hours. I am busy with bureaucratic things for which there is no extra support. You can also see it in the lecture halls. I teach 480 students. A colleague of mine even gives lectures in theater Carré to two thousand students. That looks spectacular, but you can't give personal guidance that way. When I returned to the Netherlands in 2008, I saw that there was less time for students and that the number of students per teacher had increased. Research by the FNV also shows that almost 60 to 70 percent of employees at universities suffer from psychological complaints. It's really going in the wrong direction, it can't go on like this."
What are the consequences?
“Because there is less time for research, we also receive fewer educational grants. Ultimately, that is bad for our knowledge economy. We are starting to lag behind other countries. It also ensures that we train future doctors, lawyers, journalists and other students without being able to keep up to date with our current knowledge because there is no time for that.
So something has to change.
“Yes, and many colleagues agree. We expect a good turnout on Friday. Many university boards are behind the action. Some authorities have even arranged buses to The Hague. We now generate a lot of attention and create awareness. I will also call on Friday to stop voting for D66 in the Provincial Council elections in March. Then there must be cooperation in the Senate with other parties. If you have a heart for education, you do not vote for the party that is now breaking things down. ”
