The resignation of the cabinet does not change the budget of the Ministry of Education, Culture and Science, which has already been approved by the Senate and House of Representatives. In addition, we are also facing declining student numbers, which means that our income from the Ministry is decreasing. We are therefore still faced with lower income and higher costs, which means that savings remain necessary.
President of the Executive Board, Alexandra van Huffelen hopes that the collapse of the cabinet will provide The Hague with a new opportunity to recognise and appreciate the added value of science for society: ‘The policy pursued by the Schoof cabinet with regard to cuts in education is disastrous. Now, with all the complex issues facing the world, is precisely the time to invest in education and research.’
National protest on Dam Square
The national protest on 10 June against the cuts will therefore go ahead. Please note that the location has changed. The protest will now take place on Dam Square in Amsterdam.