Executive Board: sympathy for #notmydebt

Executive Board: sympathy for #notmydebt

“The debate about what a fair compensation is has to take place in The Hague”

24-02-2022 · News

MAASTRICHT. The Executive Board of Maastricht University is sympathetic to the demands of the students who argue for fair compensation for those who did not get a basic grant due to the introduction of the student loan system (between 2015 and 2023). “The debate will be about what a fair compensation is. But that is a political discussion that is being held in The Hague," said Executive Board President Rianne Letschert during the University Council meeting last Wednesday.

This was a response to questions from the student delegation about the petition #notmydebt. Letschert: “Given the sentiment in the House, it will be a tough debate for the minister.” Rector Pamela Habibović added that she will discuss the matter with her fellow rectors within the Universities of the Netherlands (the former VSNU).

The basic grant will return in 2023. The cabinet has now released a billion euros to compensate the 'unlucky generation', which is about a thousand euros per student. “A scant tip” and “really too meager”, the Second Chamber said earlier. It concerns a generation that had to borrow thousands of euros. Nevertheless, for the time being, the government does not intend to increase the compensation.

The national student union (LSVB) and the youth branch of the FNV union have therefore launched the petition #notmydebt, which has now been signed more than 80,000 times. In addition to the reintroduction of the basic grant, they also want full compensation for the 'bad luck generation'. Furthermore, the funds for the basic grant may not come from the education budget. Then the student grant still comes from their own pockets, they write on their site.

Author: Yuri Meesen

Photo: Thirdman via Pexels

Tags: notmydebt,petition,

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