Update Executive Board: Senate adopts education budget, cuts to go ahead
The Schoof cabinet has presented its budget. As expected, higher education is facing severe cuts. In the coming period, the Executive Board will regularly look at the consequences of what it deems an irresponsible policy.
The Senate approved the Ministry of Education, Culture and Science budget today (8 April) and thus a structural half billion euros in cuts to higher education and scientific research.
This means that the Higher Education and Science Administrative Agreement concluded between the universities and the then Minister of Education, Culture and Science will not be honoured. We are considering further legal action.
Protests and action
The universities have been campaigning against the cuts presented in the current government’s provisional deal for ten months now. In November, 25,000 people came to Malieveld in The Hague with a clear message for politicians: ‘Doe het niet!’ (Don’t do it!) A series of staggered strikes began here in Leiden on 10 March, with many other universities since going on strike. The action will continue over the next few weeks, and a second big demonstration in The Hague will follow at a later date.
It is not just students and staff who are protesting: the business community and numerous civil society organisations have warned that the cuts will harm society and the economy. The legitimacy of some of the cuts is also being questioned.
Storm clouds gathering
The Senate nonetheless approved the Ministry of Education, Culture and Science’s budget today. This means storm clouds are gathering for our university and all the Dutch universities. Less money will be available for our research and teaching. We will get back to you as soon as we know what this will mean.