Will students speak with a PVV education minister or not?

The ISO will certainly continue taking part in discussions, says President Demi Janssen. “We realize that this election result has caused quite a stir among students. They can expect us to continue our unabated commitment to every student. To do so, we need to engage with all political parties, precisely to convince them of our ideas. As ISO, we will always continue to stand up for good and accessible education in which every student feels supported.”

The LSVb takes a different approach. “Should there indeed be an education minister from the PVV, we will not enter into discussions. That may sound harsh, but we must remain consistent in our stance against racism and discrimination. If a party comes to power that has made racist statements, that’s where we draw the line. I should add that this is the choice of our current board. The next board can decide for themselves.”

Open for applications

Both organizations are now looking for new board members. They are holding information evenings (ISO and LSVb) and planning coffee dates. Interested parties still have until January 26th  (LSVb) or January 31 (ISO) to apply. Successors are usually elected in April. They will be inducted and then take over before the summer break.

Janssen and Weehuizen had barely started when the cabinet collapsed. The two presidents had expected a different year of administration. Janssen says: “For us, summer was no bowl of cherries. We had to get to work right away.”

They wouldn’t have wanted to miss it. “It is very cool that you are suddenly a player in national politics yourself,” says Weehuizen. “We sit at the table with Minister Dijkgraaf, for example, and can really put our issues on the table. At the same time, it sometimes feels like a big responsibility because you are representing 800,000 students and, of course, you very much want to do your best for them.”

Effective organizations

The student organizations also want to emphasize that they achieve things, such as the protest against rising interest rates on student debt. “We often hear from students that they appreciate that someone is organizing such a protest,” says Weehuizen. It led to a motion in the House of Representatives that will lower interest rates at least for the unlucky students of the loan system. “That will make it easier on students’ wallets.”

Among other things, the ISO draws attention to the fight for a reasonable internship fee, which political parties are increasingly paying attention to. “They increasingly understand that students struggle to make ends meet, especially when they don’t get as much support from home. It’s cool to see them include it in their election manifestos. The same applies, for example, to student welfare, which is what we’re committed to.”

Internationalization

Their successors will be plenty busy. Internationalization in particular is likely to be a hot topic. Janssen and Weehuizen understand the problems of accessibility to education and housing for students but are still not against the arrival of foreign students.

Janssen says: “I kind of dislike this expression, but you shouldn’t throw the baby out with the bathwater.” Weehuizen concurs: “We just have to reach solid agreements and find the right balance.”