The Interstedelijk Studenten Overleg (ISO) is also relieved by the reports and says it is hopeful about the possibilities for the coming academic year. Pieter Duisenberg, President of the Association of Universities, calls it “good news for our students and teachers”.
Student union LSVb is “relieved and happy” that the one and a half meter measure is disappearing. “The fact that students are finally liberated from their student room after sitting at home for a year and a half, the flag went out for a while,” says chairman Ama Boahene in News and Co.
Mental problems in students
The student union points out that many students have experienced loneliness in the past year and a half. “Online education means that you sit in front of your computer screen day in and day out, miss contact with your friends and fellow students. And that it is more difficult for you to ask questions, more difficult to collaborate and that you feel lonely,” says chairman Boahene. “All the students I speak to say: we just can’t do it anymore.”
Van Krieken also knows that many students suffer from mental health problems and have sought psychological help. “The reopening is important for the mental situation, which is not good for some of the students because they are at home so much.”
He believes that students and lecturers can meet each other again on campus, which also improves the quality of education. “You learn together, in conversation and in discussion with each other and with teachers,” says the rector magnificus.
No big lectures
HBO institutions start the new academic year on August 30, universities on September 6. The cabinet is expected to announce tomorrow which additional measures will apply. It will probably involve one-way traffic in buildings, ventilation, voluntary testing of students and wearing face masks.
According to The Hague sources, one of the measures is a maximum group size in lecture halls. A maximum of 75 to 100 students per room is envisaged. As a result, students of larger studies such as psychology or law will still have to take online lectures. “I understand that, but it is also very unfortunate if it turns out to be necessary,” says Van Krieken. “Education in large groups also has added value.”
LSVb chairman Boahene has less understanding for this. “This means that many students will still receive online education,” says the chairman. “As far as we are concerned, all restrictions must be removed.”
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