The CDA faction in the Senate approved the amended budget for Education, Culture, and Science (OCW) for 2025 on Tuesday, April 8. Initially, the proposal included more severe cuts to higher education, but the Bontenbal amendment has made significant adjustments to these plans. The controversial long-study penalty has been scrapped, the social service time remains, and the additional labor market allowance for teachers in the Randstad is continued. Additionally, there is more attention for educational institutions in border and shrinking regions.

Thanks to the Bontenbal amendment, several fundamentally wrong choices have been removed, and there is a bit more balance in the education budget.

Theo Rietkerk
CDA Senator

Legality and Proper Governance

During the budget discussions, the CDA faction has explicitly spoken out in all phases – three written rounds and the debate – about the tension between the proposed cuts and the principles of legal certainty and trust. Breaking the administrative agreement with higher education institutions from 2022 was a major concern. The CDA sees this as a breach of trust and asks the minister to restore this trust.

The faction emphasized that trust between the government and the education sector should not be lightly undermined. However, the faction also noted that under certain circumstances, previously made agreements may be unilaterally changed, provided there is a reasonable transition period and a careful consideration according to the principle of proportionality.

“Based on the jurisprudence presented by the minister, the CDA has determined that a transition period of three months in comparable cases is not unreasonable. Therefore, legally speaking, there is no evident illegality,” Rietkerk explains.

The Senate does not focus on the political desirability of policy (that is the prerogative of the House of Representatives), but primarily on the quality of legislation. The faction concluded that, although the political choice for cuts has undesirable consequences and would not have been the CDAs choice, the amended budget passes the test of legality, feasibility, and enforceability.

Regions and Young Universities

For the CDA, it is essential that all regions can continue to rely on good education. The faction is pleased with the ministers assurance that there will be no dilution of the education budget in shrinking and border regions, and that they will not suffer negative consequences from plans to reduce the number of international students. Administrative agreements with colleges and universities in Zeeland, Limburg, Friesland, Groningen, Drenthe, and Twente should further ensure this.

The faction also pushed for compensation for young universities with a low fixed funding base, including Tilburg, Maastricht, Twente, VU, and Erasmus. The minister has promised to consult with these institutions once they come up with a proposal.

Foundation of Broad Prosperity

The CDA faction continues to emphasize that education is not merely an economic investment but a formative force for the society of tomorrow. The party wants a government that keeps its promises, does justice to regions, and provides confidence to institutions, students, and teachers.

“Education policy should not move from budget cycle to budget cycle, but provide stability and fairness. Young people, institutions, and society have a right to that,” concludes Rietkerk.

The CDA faction will continue to advocate for strengthening the education sector, more tailored solutions for regions, and a reliable and executable course for the future during the Spring Memorandum discussions.

Photo: Senate/Robin Utrecht