‘Education is essential’: Tilburg university staff protest against budget cuts

After earlier demonstrations at universities and on the Malieveld in The Hague, protests took place again this afternoon on campuses across the Netherlands. In Tilburg as well, staff ‘blew the whistle’ on Education Minister Eppo Bruins’ plans.

With the call ‘Whistle the plans back!’ WOinActie and the education trade unions urged staff to participate in a protest against budget cuts in higher education. Around noon, about 200 staff gathered on the campus under the bridge leading to the university library. They held up protest signs with messages like ‘I train teachers’ and ‘Education is essential.’

Speeches

Several activists addressed the crowd, including Associate Professor Michiel Bot and Professor Arnoud Lagendijk from Nijmegen, who was present on behalf of the AOb trade union. Bot seized the moment to express his solidarity with Palestine. According to Bot, a lot of government money is going to the Israeli military, which is why cuts need to be made in education. While he spoke passionately to the crowd, his words were not well received by everyone.

Lagendijk’s speech received more sympathy. He hinted at a possible nationwide strike and urged those present to personally approach members of parliament. In this way, the Nijmegen professor hopes to apply even more pressure on politics.

‘Eppo mail’

The protest ended with a loud whistle concert, followed by a request to the attendees: ‘Send a Christmas card to Education Minister Eppo Bruins.’ With this ‘Eppo-mail,’ university staff are urging to push the budget cuts off the table.

For now, however, Bruins remains firm, and the cuts to higher education will remain in place. The specific areas where the hardest cuts will be made will be announced later this week.

_Advertentie.