No more a study fair for student who does not book a study progress for two years in a row?
© Belga
The fact that only 28 percent of students complete their bachelor’s degree in the three years provided for is « very bad », acknowledges the Flemish Minister for Education Zuhal Demir. The N-VA minister insists on the importance of a « strong base » in primary and secondary education, but she also thinks about other interventions such as an early evaluation of the « Hard Knip » and the closer monitoring of the testing grants to students in a row no study gang books for two years.
The share of students who get his bachelor’s degree within three years has again fallen sharply. In 2008-2009, 36 percent of the students obtained their bachelor’s degree on time, but in the school year 2021-2022 it drops to 28 percent. In response to questions from Brecht Warnez (CD&V), Tom Seurs (N-VA) and Kristof Slagmulder (Vlaams Belang) recognized education minister Zuhal Demir that the falling trend is problematic.
According to Minister Demir, it is especially important to strengthen the basis, in particular the curriculum in compulsory education. Only with an improvement of that basis can students start higher education in a « strong » way.
The Flemish government has also agreed to expand the starting tests, but according to the minister they are not much more than « a plaster on a wooden leg » because a lot of time and effort is put into remedialing students who still lack the necessary knowledge and skills. « We have to strengthen the basis, » emphasizes Demir.
Motivate
The minister does strongly believe in the ‘hard cut’ that the previous government has introduced. Because of this procedure, students can only start their third year if they have successfully completed all the courses of the first year. « In the coalition agreement we have agreed that we will evaluate that measure within three years. Maybe I can advance that evaluation slightly so that we can intervene quickly, » the minister said.
The current study delay costs society a lot of money. That is why the minister is thinking of a different measure. « We pay scholarships to students who have not even taken any subject in their first and second year. Is that motivating? Is it normal for us to pay scholarships for students who do not make any progress whatsoever? I don’t know, but those are things that we have to view more closely. »
CD&V MP Warnez responded somewhat disappointed to Demir’s answer. According to him, the minister focuses too strongly on compulsory education and measures are needed faster in higher education itself. He urges the minister to focus on more efficient guidance and support of students together with the universities and colleges.
