News item | 03-06-2022 | 14:18
MBOs, universities of applied sciences and universities have started working energetically to get rid of study delays, research backlogs and internship shortages due to corona. They also pay a lot of attention to improving student well-being. This is apparent from the second progress report of the National Education Program for MBO and higher education that Minister Dijkgraaf (OCW) sent to the House of Representatives today. But not all problems are solved with that. Many students still struggle with study delay or struggle with their mental health. That is why he has decided to extend the program for another year. For example, institutions have an extra year to spend the available resources on the well-being of students.
Minister Dijkgraaf: “During conversations with students and visits to educational institutions, I was impressed by the flexibility and resilience that students, teachers and scientists show to cope with the consequences of the corona pandemic. I greatly appreciate that. However, I also see that the pandemic has undeniably weighed heavily on them.”
With the National Education Program presented last year, the cabinet wants to absorb the consequences of the corona pandemic and work on recovery. At that time, 2.7 billion euros was made available for MBO and higher education to, among other things, make up for study delay and improve the mental health of students.
Last summer, the institutions made recovery plans, but it has not been easy to implement all those plans. The new lockdown in December and January in particular forced them to hold back. Nevertheless, many recovery actions have been initiated, especially in secondary vocational education, where much of the budgeted budget has actually already been spent.
Student experiences
The experiences of the students themselves are also central to the progress report. In a poll among more than 30,000 students in April of this year, two-thirds of them indicated that they did not have a study delay despite corona, but a third still did. For almost half of the students, the delay is 4 months or longer. About a fifth of the students who had a delay have now made up for it. Together with the institutions, Minister Dijkgraaf will further investigate how the students are doing with a significant delay and whether they need specific help.
The student poll also shows that corona has left significant marks on the mental well-being of students: a quarter indicate that their mental health is bad to very bad. That is why Minister Dijkgraaf also states that improving student well-being must be a priority.
There is also a strong link between mental well-being and study delay. Students who are not feeling well have more delays. This especially applies to students in a vulnerable position, such as students with a migration background. Minister Dijkgraaf therefore emphasizes the combined approach of study delay and well-being. Where possible, he wants to support this with research into promising interventions. He also wants to give extra attention to students in a vulnerable position.
Internship shortage has fallen sharply
The internship shortage, which caused a significant group of students to fall behind in their studies during the pandemic, has now declined rapidly. It still plays an important role in healthcare. The labor market position for recent graduates is also favorable for many students at the moment.
All institutions have invested the most in the smooth influx and throughput of students and student welfare. For example, by providing students with more intensive guidance through mentors and by attracting more student psychologists. Institutions do indicate that they sometimes find it difficult to determine the precise request for help of their students.
In scientific education, a large number of researchers with a temporary contract have had a contract extension in order to be able to properly complete their research. Investments have visibly started here, but now and then there is still a lack of transparency about the process. Minister Dijkgraaf therefore calls on the relevant institutions to communicate clearly about the possibilities of applications and the distribution of resources.
Program extension
By extending the National Program for MBO-ho education and research by one year, Minister Dijkgraaf gives students and institutions more time for recovery. This gives institutions more opportunity to carry out their planned actions with the available resources and to embed them in their regular business operations. The funds can now be spent until the end of 2023, with 2024 as the ‘run-out year’ (instead of 2022 and 2023 respectively).