In my opinion | The importance of the BSA
Everything that works is founded on hierarchy. That also applies to education. The crown of the educational system as we know it, is the university. This is where the flower of academia can be found. The university is the highest academic institution and no diploma has more value than a university diploma. Why is this? Why are universities so different from applied sciences and secondary vocational institutions? The reason is because the academic value of an institution is a result of its exclusivity.
That is why the recent developments with regard to the national lowering of the BSA standard will have a disastrous effect on the academic world. I don’t want to be the bogeyman, but allowing everyone to study at a university serves no one’s interest. In fact, where would we be without applied sciences and secondary vocational institutions? The education that students receive at these institutions is essential for the functioning of our society. I would even venture to say that these study programs are more important than most university programs.
Then why is it that we believe that everyone should study at a university, at all costs? Is it because we’re not interested in an academic career at all, but only in the freedom of student life? But with great freedom comes great responsibility. Students pay for their freedom with the academic performances they are required to deliver.
It is said that many students experience stress. I don’t know if this is true; I hardly trust the studies on this topic. I myself feel stressed sometimes, but I’ve never experienced this as a negative thing. How well do you know yourself if you’ve never found yourself in a difficult situation? What value is there to a diploma if you’ve never had to fight for it? Stress and high expectations lead us to the greatest accomplishments in our lives. Things can’t always be fun: so what? Not everyone makes it to the finish line: so what? Not everyone has to study at a university.
Unfortunately, after much complaining by students, the decision was finally made. On May 9th, Robbert Dijkgraaf announced that the BSA standard will be lowered nationally, in order to reduce performance pressure and stress among students. I believe that this is the first of several quality-lowering measures. I predict that the academic value of the university will decrease in the future, because everyone has to get their diploma.
I won’t make many friends with this letter, but I don’t care. It is our responsibility to uphold the quality of our institutions. That is why I hope that TU/e won’t join in the lowering of the BSA standard. The BSA is one of the foundations on which the university is based. Woe unto those who blow up the rocks on which their home is built!
Image | Johan23 / iStock
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