Van Engelshoven wants to save Dutch studies and shrinking higher vocational education
Unique courses, such as Dutch language and literature, must be maintained, says Minister of Education Ingrid van Engelshoven (D66). "Such schools should not have to fight for their existence every day."
Picture: National government
Today, Van Engelshoven presents her strategic agenda for higher education and research, in which she sets the course for the coming years. It wants to temper the fierce competition for student numbers, it says. Then she can also better protect vulnerable studies, she says in an interview with the HOP.
No extra money
The minister does not have extra money for higher education and research. It will, however, give universities and colleges more permanent funding and less money per student. That should bring peace and offers the opportunity to do more for important small studies.
The minister does not have extra money for higher education and research
Students stay away from courses such as Dutch, which is why they are in danger of disappearing. If society wants to keep these programs afloat, they should get enough money from the fixed funding, says Van Engelshoven.
This is also important for higher professional education. Especially in shrinking regions, there will be fewer students of higher vocational education, so that programs there may run into problems. Van Engelshoven: "You cannot maintain every degree program everywhere, but I also see that the presence of higher education has an important function in the region."
You cannot maintain every course everywhere, but I also see that the presence of higher education has an important function in the region
Wringing
In the long term, extra money must be added for higher education and research, the minister believes, because the budget is now tight. "We can see that there are problems, but the money is not on the shelf." She calls the expenditure of the current cabinet "a considerable step in the right direction, but in the long term it is indeed not enough".
This is also the opinion of the National Student Union, which refused to receive the agenda with the presentation. Chairman Alex Tess Rutten: "While the minister is celebrating, today thousands of lecturers and scientists work overtime because they don't want to leave students out in the cold." According to her, the minister's “beautiful plans” are worth nothing without extra money for higher education and research.
