Photo Marte Hofsteenge The Dutch academic year results in high work pressure for teachers and students and leaves too little time for research and other scientific core tasks. Thus states (links to Dutch content) the Young Academy, that compared the Dutch academic year to those abroad.
Dutch teachers spend two months a year more on teaching and grading exams than their counterparts at foreign universities, the Young Academy states. The way the academic year is planned, and its length varies per discipline, but all in all, there are barely any periods of rest during the academic year between September and July.
More flexible
The Young Academy recommends reducing the number of weeks of classes and exams. Moreover, the education timetable should be more flexible to meet the needs of both students and teachers of the different disciplines.
