Education Minister proposes plan to ease impact of international student cuts

Education Minister Eppo Bruins has developed a plan to ensure that border and shrinking regions are less affected by his proposal to reduce the number of international students. The plan was crafted in response to requests from the Tweede Kamer.

Bruins, a member of the NSC party, intends to adjust his legislative proposal to allow these regions to more easily apply for exceptions, ensuring that international programs remain available. It is still unclear which regions will be included on this list.

Educational institutions in, or near, these areas will reportedly face fewer administrative barriers when demonstrating the necessity of offering programs in English, particularly when it is argued that such courses are vital for the local labor market.

The reduced budget cuts now reportedly ease the pressure on Bruins to lower the number of international students. In response, the minister is modifying the legislation to create a list of regions that will face a more lenient regulatory regime.

In a deal made at the end of last year between coalition parties and opposition parties CDA, ChristenUnie, SGP, and JA21, the planned budget cuts were softened by 125 million euros.

As part of the coalition's agreement, the government aims to limit the number of international students in the Netherlands. Initially, the policy was designed to save 293 million euros annually through discouraging measures.