Students: we are being held up | Inland

The ISO is surprised by this state of affairs. “The whole of the Netherlands is allowed to return to the office, on vacation and to festivals, but the student is once again kept on a lead,” says chair Lisanne de Roos. “It is incomprehensible that students and institutions remain uncertain about what the coming academic year will look like any longer: August 13 is really too late.”

The ISO points out that research has shown that the corona year has had a major impact on students. Many students suffered from loneliness, sadness and concentration problems as a result of studying at home. The ISO therefore emphasizes that higher education should no longer be disadvantaged. De Roos: “Students crave contact with fellow students and their teachers. Studying is so much more than just attending lectures. The past year has proven how important the social side of education is.”

The ISO is afraid that the uncertainty will affect the introduction weeks in various student cities. “We absolutely must prevent students in Maastricht from getting to know a hundred fellow students while students in Leiden have to meet online. The introduction week offers students the opportunity to get to know new people, a new city and a new institution. More clarity quickly is therefore crucial.”

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