Last year, student sports and cultural activities in education, such as theater associations, were at risk of becoming much more expensive. Public funding is technically only allowed to be used for education and research. The Ministry of Education wanted to enforce this rule more strictly.

That led to a storm of protest. In the end, then-Minister of Education Eppo Bruins temporarily reversed the tightened regulations. The exception initially applied only to student sports, but cultural activities on campus were later included as well.

The government has now decided to permanently allow support for sports and cultural facilities in education. Minister of Education Rianne Letschert does not yet know exactly what this will look like, but she wants to create an official exemption. The minister wrote this today in a letter to the House of Representatives about student well-being.

‘Disappear or deteriorate’

Research conducted for the ministry shows that student sports and cultural activities would “deteriorate” or disappear entirely under the strict rules. The government considers that undesirable.

In principle, a university of applied sciences or university is not allowed to spend public funds on private activities. After all, a commercial gym cannot fairly compete with a student sports club subsidized by an educational institution.

But according to Letschert, sports and culture make an essential contribution to the public mission of educational institutions by improving students’ “well-being, social connectedness, and personal development.”

Also access for MBO students

In addition, Letschert also wants to exempt “student cafeterias and catering facilities primarily intended for students and staff” from the rules. If she does not, educational institutions may have to repay funding. Letschert does not consider that a good idea.

The question remains how Letschert plans to make sports, culture, and cafeterias accessible to MBO students as well. They are students too, but do not always have access to student facilities at universities of applied sciences or research universities. The House of Representatives asked the minister to arrange something for MBO students. Letschert said she “will take that into consideration” when drafting the regulations.

This article was translated using AI-assisted tools and reviewed by an editor.