Zijlstra: Small study programs can disappear

Small language programs such as Frisian, French or Portuguese may merge into broad study programs at Dutch universities. Dutch State secretary of Education Halbe Zijlstra writes this in a letter to the House after questions by Christian Democrat Party CDA.

“Don’t you agree that, although broad study programs offer absolute advantages, at least for some languages ??its own independent full-time university study program should be continued, because of national or international importance and commercial interest,” the CDA asked.

Zijlstra admits that ‘languages are of great cultural importance, and significant for Dutch economy and exports’, but he also believes that languages can be offered in the context of a broad bachelor program.

The Dutch goverment (committe Veerman) asks of universities to profile itself as enterprising and economical. This may indeed mean that small study programs will disappear. Many  small programs, however, will continue to be offered, but in a different way.”