Students and lecturers in Utrecht protest against long-term study fine

Students and lecturers from universities and universities of applied sciences will demonstrate on the Jaarbeurs in Utrecht on Saturday. They will protest the plans of the upcoming Cabinet for higher education to introduce additional fees for students who take longer to complete their studies. The demonstration was originally scheduled to take place on the Domplein in the city center, but it was moved due to the possible large number of demonstrators. The demonstration will start at 2 p.m.

The protest was organized by the National Student Council (LSVb), which speaks out against the long-term study fine. The coalition of PVV, VVD, BBB, and NSC wants students who study more than one year longer to pay an extra 3,000 euros per year. According to the student association, this will lead to even greater mental pressure on students and further increase inequality.

The group WOinActie, formed by critical lecturers, also joined the protest. WOinActie opposes not only the punitive fees but also the planned cuts. The upcoming coalition wants to cut the budget for universities and research by around one billion euros over the next few years. “There are real signs that these cuts will be implemented almost as soon as this government takes office, and we learn that some university administrations are already planning these cuts,” WOinActie stated on their website.

The universities support the students and lecturers. They also consider the cuts to be ill-considered and damaging. In addition, Annetje Ottow, Chair of the Board of Leiden University, will join the demonstrators on Saturday.