Parliament receives 'black book' detailing the consequences of budget cuts

The new minority cabinet, comprising the parties D66, CDA and VVD, has promised to reverse the cuts to the higher education and research budget. However, the National Student Union (LSVb) remains very concerned, as the damage caused by the austerity measures cannot be undone overnight.

"There is hardly any space to study on campus, courses are being cancelled, and the quality of education is deteriorating," states the LSVb chair, Maaike Krom. The union has gathered examples of these consequences in a black book featuring personal stories from students and lecturers. LSVb hopes that presenting MPs with this book will help "make the consequences tangible for them."

The dismissed lecturers are not being replaced. Small classrooms are becoming huge. Honours programmes are disappearing or being scaled back. Administrative staff are being laid off. The workload is increasing everywhere. Some buildings have to close their doors. The introduction week is being shortened. These are just some of the many consequences of the austerity measures, says Krom. "It is shocking how quickly the quality of education has deteriorated." She hopes that the black book will give the House of Representatives "a push in the right direction".

As for the new coalition's promise to reverse the cuts, she says: "Right now, it means nothing. They must still achieve a majority in Parliament."