Education minister addresses student stress, cuts course credit requirements

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Education Minister Robert Dyckgraf is changing the rules that determine whether first-year students can continue their degrees to reduce stress caused by the current system.

At this time, it is the college that determines how many of the 60 credits a student must earn to advance to the second year. While many place her 45 credits as a lower limit, some argue that students who complete all 60 credits will be moved up.

Dijkgraaf has announced that they are currently setting a cap of 30 credits as a baseline.

The current regime places undue stress on students who are already struggling for one reason or another. can make it difficult to determine

The student union LSVB welcomed the minister’s move but said the credit system should be abolished altogether.

A study published in 2021 found that 12% of Dutch students had a serious mental illness, with performance-related stress being the main factor.

The Minister wants to introduce changes from the 2025-26 school year.