MeToo lessons during intro weeks
Students should be educated about sexually transgressive behaviour during introductory weeks, the House of Representatives believes. Staff members should also have to take a course.
This follows from a motion by the PvdA, which was adopted by a large majority on Tuesday. As a good example, the motion refers to Maastricht University, which will give MeToo lessons to first-year students next academic year. According to the motion, this is “crucial for establishing standards of behaviour”.
Should the government make such education compulsory in curricula? According to Minister Dijkgraaf, that would go against academic freedom. He did not want to censure the motion “if you allow me to implement this motion in another way, by engaging with institutions and highlighting this initiative”.
More education
Research by Amnesty International shows that 1 in 10 female students is raped during their college years. After a series of high-profile incidents at student unions, the unions have committed, at least on paper, to preventing sexually transgressive behaviour. Boards are facilitating workshops and courses.
In June, Dijkgraaf pledged additional millions to improve social safety at universities and colleges. (HOP, PvT)
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