Today, 14:30 • 4 minutes reading time
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Due to the lockdown, all educational institutions will be closed again until January 10. The University of Groningen and Hanze University of Applied Sciences are once again switching to online education. In the case of secondary vocational education, this also applies as much as possible.
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From Monday, students at the RUG will have to open their laptops again for distance learning, because sitting in a lecture hall is not an option in the coming weeks.
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According to the university, scheduled exams can continue as usual. Research in the laboratories will also continue in the current manner.
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Grateful for flexibility
The University Library will also remain open to students every day. However, there are adjusted opening hours and a maximum of 75 people per room applies.
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We are concerned about the well-being of our students and our staff
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“We sympathize with all students and employees who cannot spend the holidays with their family or friends at home and are grateful to everyone for their cooperation and flexibility in continuing to comply with the corona rules,” a RUG spokesperson said.
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Caring for the well-being of students and employees
In a response, Hanze University of Applied Sciences states that it sees the need for the cabinet decision, now that the contagious omikron variant is on the rise. ‘At the same time, it is also difficult for us,’ says Dick Pouwels of the Executive Board of Hanze University of Applied Sciences.
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‘We are concerned about the well-being of our students and our staff. Everyone, especially young people, is making an enormous appeal to their resilience. It is becoming increasingly difficult to maintain perspective.’
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Less effective and inspiring
There are no lectures at Hanze University on Monday. The courses use that day to see how the rest of the week is structured. From Tuesday, we will switch to online education, just like in the previous lockdown.
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‘At the same time, this experience also teaches us, and this is also apparent from national research by the Interstedelijk Studenten Overleg (ISO), that education that mainly takes place online is often less effective and uninspiring for both students and teachers. We therefore greatly appreciate the flexibility of our students and employees’, says Pouwels.
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Adaptability
Noorderpoort spokesman Mark Timmers also praises the adaptability of students and staff.
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We understand very well that these hard measures are necessary, but that doesn’t make it any less painful
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‘This again demands a lot from our people. We are careful with that. If lessons for the Christmas holidays can easily be converted online, then we will. But if that doesn’t work, then don’t. We can’t ask our people to mess up their schedules. In any case, there are no technical obstacles to online education.’
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Painful decision
Exams can continue at Noorderpoort in the near future, just like practical lessons. An exception can also be made for vulnerable students.
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‘We understand very well that these tough measures are necessary, but that does not make it any less painful. Recent times have shown that it is important that students receive physical education in school. That is better for the quality of education and for their well-being.’
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wait for weighing moment
The MBO institution says it is anxiously awaiting the ‘weighing moment’ of 3 January. The cabinet will then decide whether educational institutions can reopen from January 10.
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We hope that these harsh measures will have sufficient effect and that we can open again after the Christmas holidays. Although, as the cabinet has requested, we will of course also prepare for a longer lockdown,” says Timmers.
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Personal assistance
The Alfa College calls the cabinet decision ‘a tough message that we have been told’, but the MBO school also sees the importance of it. ‘We are once again looking at what is possible and how we can best help our students’, says spokesperson Joyce Dekker.
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Our mentors and coaches offer students who are struggling with personal guidance
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‘That is why we are happy with the exceptions that apply to MBO. Such as continuing practical lessons and exams, and space for personal guidance and care. Our mentors, coaches, school pastors and internship coordinators offer personal guidance to students who are having a hard time or whose internship stops due to the lockdown.’
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According to Dekker, there is a sense of solidarity at the Alfa College, even though the lockdown demands a lot from everyone. ‘Together we put our shoulders to the wheel. The enthusiasm and involvement with the students and with each other is enormous.’
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