Students drowning in loneliness, union says in plea to open higher education

The government needs to do more for higher education students, student union LSVb said in a plea to open colleges and universities. "Students from colleges and universities fall by the wayside, but the cabinet doesn't care about it," LSVb vice president Freya Chiappino said in a press release.

Primary schools and daycare facilities were allowed to reopen two weeks ago. Leaked reports state that secondary schools and vocational schools will soon be allowed to reopen, to a limited extent at least. But higher education remains closed.

"The colleges and universities remain closed without any prospects. Students are expected to get by, but they're stretched thin. They are sucked into their laptops and drown in loneliness. Students must no longer be the victims of this crisis. Higher education urgently needs perspective," Chiappino said.

According to the LSVb, no coronavirus infection clusters were traced back to higher education when it had more space last year. "Students have proven through various initiatives that they can deal with the measures in a responsible manner. Therefore, give them the breathing space they need. Safety comes first in all cases," Chiappino said.

If something isn't done soon, students will "not only start their lives with sky-high student debts, but if we are not careful, also with a huge developmental delay," she said.