Student athletes can breathe a sigh of relief: for now, they won’t have to pay two or three times as much for their sports pass, as universities and associations had feared. Minister Bruins promised the House of Representatives yesterday that he will not be enforcing his ‘policy directive’ for the time being.
From 200 to 500 euros
The directive states that public funds must not be used for private activities. A month ago, the ministry issued a stricter interpretation of this rule to the education sector. Education funds must not distort the private market, so students would actually have to pay a ‘market-based’ price for sports facilities.
As a result, a sports subscription could rise to 700 euros, according to university association UNL last week, instead of the current 200 euros. Students launched protest actions and urged politicians in a petition to ‘keep sports affordable’.
Good for mental wellbeing
On Wednesday afternoon, the House of Representatives already debated the issue. Officially, the debate focused on the mental health of young people, but all parties agreed that sport plays an important role in this.
After critical questions from MPs, including from coalition parties, Minister Bruins quickly backed down: he promised not to enforce his own policy directive for the time being. He fully agreed with parliament that sport benefits academic performance, social contacts and students’ mental wellbeing.
He had not anticipated that various things would become more expensive, Bruins said. His intention had only been to clarify the policy directive.
And what about cultural activities?
Sandra Beckerman from the SP found the minister’s stance rather ‘out of touch with reality’. She pushed for a quicker and permanent solution: simply make an exception for student sports. But Bruins was backed by the coalition partners in his wish to first assess the consequences for students and education.
The minister suggested that he is open to making an official exception, but only if all students can benefit from a facility. “Can MBO students also use it? That’s part of this discussion too.”
Theatre, music, dance, cabaret: many other student activities are also often indirectly subsidised by educational institutions, for example by allowing them to use a hall or theatre space for free. It remained unclear on Wednesday whether Bruins’ promise not to enforce the directive also applies to culture.
