On Tuesday, October 28, the Senate approved the demissionary cabinets proposal to amend the budget for Education, Culture and Science (OCW) due to the Spring Memorandum. The factions of Fractie-Walenkamp, OPNL, SGP, CDA, PVV, FVD, PvdD, VVD, JA21, ChristenUnie, BBB, 50PLUS and Fractie-Van de Sanden voted in favor, while the factions of GroenLinks-PvdA, D66, Volt and SP voted against the budget. Three motions were also voted on.
During the debate on October 14 with demissionary Minister Moes (OCW) and demissionary State Secretary Becking of Fundamental Education and Emancipation, education spokespersons expressed their happiness about the promise of an internship allowance for MBO students. They wanted to know if the minister could already say more about its implementation. There was also support for reversing €177 million of the cut to the educational opportunities scheme.
However, there were still many concerns, for example about cuts to public broadcasting, cuts to higher education and science, and the teacher shortage. Members of Parliament emphasized the importance of investing in education and thus in the future of the Netherlands. There was also extensive discussion about the consequences of an amendment by the House of Representatives to stop subsidies to a research center that conducts animal testing.
Rejected motions
- -The Van Meenen et al. motion on suspending the cuts. The minister had advised against the motion.
- -The Roovers et al. motion on preserving fundamental research with social and medical relevance. The minister had advised against the motion.
- -The Visseren-Hamakers et al. motion on a roadmap to accelerate the transition to animal-free innovation. The minister had advised against the motion.
