New State Secretary of Finance lied on her resume about her education level
Nathalie van Berkel (D66), the prospective State Secretary of Finance, misrepresented her education level on her resume for years, the Volkskrant discovered. Her CV stated that she was pursuing a master’s degree in Public Administration at Leiden University. In reality, she was pursuing this degree at a university of applied sciences (HBO) level and only participated in the admissions program of the university's master’s program, which she never completed. She also did not complete the HBO program.
After repeated questions from the Volkskrant last week about her education, Van Berkel updated her public resume on LinkedIn on Friday. Van Berkel told the Volkskrant that she “could have included information about her education more explicitly on her CV.” She also said that she filled out her LinkedIn resume “in good faith, based on her memory” and “in no way intended to give the impression” that she completed a program that she did not complete.
Until Thursday evening, her resume stated that she studied Public Management, a master’s degree in Public Administration, at Leiden University. On Friday, Ven Berkel changed that to a Pre-master’s degree in Public Administration - an admissions program for people who want to pursue a master’s degree, but don’t have the necessary qualifications. Van Berkel did not complete this program.
Her CV also stated that she studied law at Erasmus University Rotterdam. That is true, but Van Berkel did not obtain her propaedeutic diploma there. Her highest level of education is a senior general secondary education (HAVO) diploma, and a diploma for the first year in public administration at a university of applied sciences (HBO), according to the newspaper.
According to the Volkskrant, when asked about her education last week, Van Berkel repeatedly provided inconsistent statements and incorrect information. She submitted a new resume three times after the Volkskrant asked her to provide proof of her education. Each time, the listed programs were shorter or at a lower level than previously stated.
Van Berkel is set to be sworn in as State Secretary of Finance on Monday, February 23. Today, she will have a final meeting about this with prospective Prime Minister Rob Jetten.
D66 told the Volkskrant that Van Berkel “transparently” informed the party’s integrity committee during her application process that “she hadn’t completed her studies.” Though the party believes that “she could have stated this more clearly on her CV.” The party considers Van Berkel a “skilled administrator with years of experience” and is “fully confident” that she will not provide any more incorrect information in the future.
