Closure Dominicus College will definitely go ahead
The Dominicus College in Nijmegen, where students with and without disabilities attend education together, must close its doors for good next year. The appeal lodged by the Participation Council with the Enterprise Chamber against this decision was also unsuccessful.
Because the number of students in the region is declining, school board @voCampus wants to close the Dominicus College in Nijmegen as of August 1, 2024. There will also be no room here for the Monnikskap, the department for students with a disability or chronic illness. The proposed closure led to fierce protests of students, parents and the participation council. The concept where students with and without disabilities follow HAVO/VWO together is unique in the Netherlands.
The mr of the Dominicus College contested the decision with the national education disputes committee. In its ruling of 29 August, the committee ruled that the board was reasonably able to reach the decision and that it can therefore be upheld. The Enterprise Chamber follows the committee's opinion pronunciation from December 28.
Insecure
It means that the process of closing the school will definitely continue. Tom Hooft van Huysduynen, vice-chairman of the MR, is disappointed with the ruling and the motivation of the Enterprise Chamber. He is concerned about the further course of events. According to him, for example, it is still very uncertain whether the new building at Kandinsky College for the Monnikskap will be ready in time. Furthermore, it is not certain whether all pupils will be able to go to the school of their choice of profile and not yet a place has been found for all staff members that they find suitable. “If they had given Dominicus two years more time, all students could have neatly finished their school career here. But the board didn't listen to this either."
The board @voCampus has already specific commitments done to ensure the continued existence of the Monkshood. "The continuity of education at Dominicus College and the care for students and employees remain a priority for the organization," the board now writes in a response on the website.
See also: The Dominicus is worth fighting for
