Eppo Bruins, Education Minister, Netherlands, has proposed the reduction of the use of English language in Dutch universities and colleges. With this move, the minister aims to address pressing issues like student housing shortages, full lecture halls and influx of international students in the Netherlands. “Some 20% of bachelor students come from abroad and this is leading to shortages of student accommodation, overcrowded lecture theatres and pressure on students,” Bruins said in a letter to parliament on Tuesday.
“I want to make the Dutch language the standard again,” said Bruins, according to Economic Times. “The last couple of years we have seen the amount of international students rise,” he added.
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Foreign students enrolled in higher education
According to a report released by a Dutch statistics agency last year, nearly 123,000 foreign students enrolled in higher education programs in the Netherlands, representing 15% of the total university student population. While educational migration plays a significant role in contributing to the economy, Bruins emphasised the need for the scale of this migration to be proportional to what the Netherlands can sustainably accommodate. He stated that it is essential to ensure that the influx of international students aligns with the country's capacity to provide quality education and resources.
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What does the statement say?
As per his statement, no more than one-third of the classes in most bachelor's degree programs should be conducted in languages other than Dutch. Additionally, a special committee will need to approve all bachelor's degree courses that are offered solely in English. Presently, one in three bachelor's courses in the Netherlands is taught in languages other than Dutch, with half of the programs comprising a mixture of Dutch and English.
The Dutch government also aims to make Dutch the standard language on university and college management boards.