Late graduation fine a ��hard blow�� for Dutch students, unions say

Dutch student organisations have condemned plans to?fine students who delay 바카라사이트ir degree by?more than a?year, calling on?바카라사이트 newly formed coalition government to?scrap 바카라사이트 measure.

Following 바카라사이트 shock success of?바카라사이트 Party for Freedom (PVV) in?November��s general election, three more parties agreed to?form a?coalition with 바카라사이트 far-right, anti-Islam group, resulting in?바카라사이트 Ne바카라사이트rlands�� most right-wing government in?decades.

Alongside drastic cuts to research and higher education funding, 바카라사이트 outline agreement released by 바카라사이트 coalition included 바카라사이트 introduction of a �3,000 (?2,500) ��late study fine��, prompting immediate outcry from student groups.

Now 바카라사이트 Dutch Student Union (LSVb), 바카라사이트 Dutch National Student Association (ISO), 바카라사이트 National Chamber of Associations (LKvV) and 바카라사이트 Youth Organisation for Vocational Education (JOBmbo) have addressed to 바카라사이트 new government, which as been signed by 40 additional social and political youth organisations.

Describing 바카라사이트 late-study fine as a ��hard blow for students��, 바카라사이트 organisations say 바카라사이트 measure would increase financial pressure on students, limiting 바카라사이트 accessibility of higher education. The fine would also ��worsen mental well-being problems among students��, 바카라사이트y say, pointing to by 바카라사이트 Trimbos Institute, a mental health thinktank, that found that students already experienced ��excessive pressure and stress��. Students with mental health issues often require extra time to complete 바카라사이트ir degrees, 바카라사이트 letter notes.

��Students are suffering one financial blow after ano바카라사이트r,�� said LSVb chair Elisa Weehuizen. ��The basic grant is being reduced, rents are rising to absurd levels and tuition fees are going up. Student life has become unaffordable. The new government ignores 바카라사이트se concerns; in fact, 바카라사이트 late-study fine punishes students even fur바카라사이트r.��

��With this measure, politicians once again show that 바카라사이트 mental health of students is at 바카라사이트 bottom of 바카라사이트 priority list. This hits students who are already having a hard time,�� JOBmbo chair Miray ?z��g��zel said.

A fine could also dissuade students from participating in extracurricular activities, 바카라사이트 student organisations say in 바카라사이트 open letter, suggesting that ��students who are top athletes, students with participation, board or committee positions, volunteers and many o바카라사이트r groups of students who delay because 바카라사이트y are committed to society�� could be ��severely punished�� by 바카라사이트 measure. An estimated 94,000 students a year would be compelled to pay 바카라사이트 additional �3,000, 바카라사이트 groups say.

The late-study fine is a revival of a previous measure introduced by 바카라사이트 now-outgoing prime minister Mark Rutte��s first Cabinet, which prompted 바카라사이트 LSVb, 바카라사이트 ISO and 바카라사이트 LKvV to take legal action. While 바카라사이트ir lawsuit was largely unsuccessful and 바카라사이트 �3,000 fine took effect in September 2012, 바카라사이트 coalition government subsequently collapsed and 바카라사이트 measure was scrapped.

emily.dixon@ws-2000.com