Minister calls for student restraint

Everyone must make a contribution. Including students.

This was one of the first messages from the Minister for Science, Innovation and Higher Education, Morten Østergaard (SocLib) after recently returning from parental leave.

Østergaard, who followed the state education grant debate from the sidelines in January, is now asking students to be constructive as the government’s state education grant reform approaches, with cuts of DKK 2 billion.

“Students have to get used to the idea that they must take greater responsibility for their studies when they receive support from one of the world’s most generous state education grant systems, and that it is not the time to demand more than one needs,” wrote Østergaard in a long post on his Facebook profile.

Reconsidering the state education grant system

The SocDem-SocLib-SPP government has announced plans to save DKK 2 billion with a new state education grant reform designed to get students through the education system faster.

The government is expected to launch its specific proposal for the reform during the spring, but it may prove very difficult for politicians in the Danish Parliament to make cuts in the state education grant system.

Students are known for their propensity to demonstrate the minute state education grant cuts are mentioned in the public debate.

However, Østergaard has called on students to remember that Denmark is in the midst of an economic crisis.

“Like all others in Denmark, students must accept the need to make an effort and that everyone must adapt to the times we live in, and take responsibility for the major educational boost that will benefit us all,” wrote Østergaard in the post.