LSVb presents black book to politicians: “Making the consequences of cuts tangible”
The €1.3 billion in education cuts have left deep marks on higher education, according to a black book by the National Student Union (LSVb). The union points, among other things, to a decline in the quality of education and the merging of small-scale degree programmes—something that also threatens the UvA’s language programmes.
Disappearing programmes, declining educational quality, deteriorating campuses, and “a meagre student life.” A black book by the National Student Union (LSVb), which is being presented to the House of Representatives today, lists the consequences of the education cuts. According to the student union, this is primarily needed to make the effects of political decisions from recent years tangible and to “give MPs a nudge in the right direction.”
The black book compiles various examples in which the consequences of the Schoof cabinet’s education policy are said to be visible. The €1.3 billion in cuts—which the incoming minority coalition wants to reverse—have had a “severe impact” on institutions, staff, and students, according to the student union. LSVb chair Maaike Krom says: “It is shocking how quickly the quality of studying has declined.”
Merging programmes
As an example, the LSVb points to the closure of small-scale programmes or the merging of different programmes into a new, joint curriculum. The organisation observes that these decisions are leading to “the overall educational offering in the Netherlands increasingly becoming a one-size-fits-all.”
Plans for programme mergers are also being discussed at the University of Amsterdam: this month, the Faculty of Humanities (FGw) will decide on the merger of nine language programmes into a single new programme, with language and regional specialisations expected to remain possible.
Consequences of the cuts
The student union also sees other consequences of the cuts in deteriorating facilities, hiring freezes at various educational institutions, and increasing pressure on study and student associations.
The LSVb hopes for a reversal of the education cuts, as proposed by the incoming coalition. At the same time, the organisation criticises the proposed cuts to healthcare and social provisions. Krom says: “The future of many students is at stake: stop the cuts and offer perspective.”
