Vulnerable students are less likely to participate in extracurricular activities

Research by ResearchNed shows that ‘vulnerable students’ are less frequently involved in extracurricular activities such as a board year or student participation. The long-term study penalty will only increase this gap, warns the student organisation ISO.

Financial concerns (in Dutch) are a significant reason for ‘vulnerable students’, such as those from non-Western backgrounds or students without highly educated parents, to refrain from extracurricular activities. For 42% of students with a non-western migration background, this plays a role, compared to 30% of Dutch students.

Initial exploration

The researchers do comment on the percentages they cite. A relatively small number of university students, first-years, women, and students with highly educated parents participated in the study. While the report does provide an insight, it is an initial exploration, they write.

The ISO sees this as a strong argument against the long-term study penalty, which will affect 95,000 students each year. “It is unacceptable that an increasingly large group of students is missing out on these meaningful opportunities,” says ISO chair Mylou Miché.

According to her, it is not only about these students themselves, but the community also loses valuable contributions from motivated and engaged students. “Students in participation, for example, make an important contribution to the quality of education, and students taking on a board year provide an indispensable contribution to student life in their city.”

Protest

Last Friday, hundreds of students protested in The Hague against the long-term study penalty. Last Wednesday, the House of Representatives debated with Minister Eppo Bruins about the budget cuts and the position of students.  (HOP, LvdK en BB)