No right to damages for students
There will be no separate law on financial compensation for students. When a school or university fails, the existing complaints procedures should be sufficient, according to Dutch state secretary of Education Halbe Zijlstra.
The Dutch parliament had asked for a specific right to damages for students, but Zijlstra does not see what good it could do. It would only encourage the claim culture among students. The House had the right to financial compensation in mind regarding education and examination matters such as the number of contract hours, the availability of good facilities, the ratio of lectures and seminars, and the quality of teachers.
“It would indeed be a dangerous move to introduce a right to claim damages for educational and examination regulations”, says Mies Hezemans, dean of students at Tilburg University. “Claim procedures cost a lot of time and money. With such a law you would soon end up in an unnecessary claims culture. It will be at the expense of the flexibility of education.”
Students who are not satisfied with the quality of their study program can file a complaint with their faculty or university. According to Hezemans, ‘a handful of students per year’ do so at Tilburg University. “A complaint is investigated and when necessary arrangements are made. The student will receive, for example, two months tuition in compensation.” Hezemans: “Complaints should always be handled reasonable and fair, and that is exactly what happens. I think this regulation is sufficient.”
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