Kids stop going to universities and start going to work straight from high school, just like the old days.

By Al | February 5, 2010 7:39 AM

I think kids should be encouraged to get the best education they can so I am against this idea.

By LJK | February 5, 2010 9:40 AM

"would force students to think twice"

About what? Getting an education? Oh, that'll be great for our economy.

Please don't go the route of Canada, demonizing students. The system there is an absolute mess and only perpetuates a society in which poorer kids stay poor, educated or not.

By CW | February 5, 2010 9:58 AM

"Kids stop going to universities and start going to work straight from high school, just like the old days."

I wish it could be like that again. But most employers don't want to train people themselves nor put up the costs. And neither does the government, apparently. Even if it benefits society as a whole...

By CW | February 5, 2010 12:44 PM

I think it is a good idea and children will learn the old Dutch values to be thrifty. On the other hand the government must provide interest free loans to students for persuing education.

By Ashok | February 5, 2010 4:03 PM

Good idea! There are already too many students good for nothing out there. ;)

By wo | February 5, 2010 4:13 PM

Ha! Work? My fellow students have never worked a day in their lives. We go to school for aeons to avoid that possibility. We are "intellectuals" we don't do "work." :)

By Daan | February 5, 2010 4:26 PM

Not quite sure what the "pain" is. Students in the U.S. leave school with debts anywhere from $ 25,000 to $ 200,000...

By schellekensr | February 5, 2010 4:32 PM

Yep, this is government investing in its future, we can all go grow tomatoes and flowers so who needs an education???? Like the UK and the other EU countries the Governments have certainly lost the plot, their way and gone deaf as they don't listen to the people at all anymore.

By AT | February 5, 2010 6:20 PM

Educate the rich and the poor stay that way.. great system. Let them borrow at no interest if you are serious

By rayo | February 5, 2010 6:39 PM

Students in the US leave college with large debts, and then go into jobs that pay 2x+ Dutch salaries, and live in a country with less tax, hardly any BTW, and houses and cars that get sold for a snip. I think US students will find it much easier to repay their debts. I think that our social conscience in Europe, should insist that university and all higher education is susidised to ensure that all kids get a fair chance at a degree and better job prospects. I am all for a level playing field in education, health care and state pensions. If that is a cost we need to carry for the next generation, then so be it.

By jaycee | February 5, 2010 7:39 PM

i just wonder...what parents are those that have the money (because some they dont) and dont give a "loan" to their children.if they do not trust their own children how the rest of us should trust them? i studied using my parents money and it was a pleasure for them giving those money..they did not even allow me to pay back now that i have a job and a salary

By kos | February 6, 2010 9:50 AM

Used to be that way in Canada too until they eliminated grants and passed laws that made grads ineligible to clear their student loans through bankruptcy until they had been out of school for 10 years (since shortened to 7). Don't know whether it's because of that or just a coincidence, but tuition fees quadrupled and debts upon graduation range from $25,000 to over $100,000. And that's not interest-free.

Fine, perhaps it teaches responsibility. But the entire system is more messed up than the IND's, as bureaucrats lose paperwork and throw grads to the collection agencies when they shouldn't even be there. And payments on loans are not geared to income so some people have to pay back 50% of their take home pay.

What exactly does that teach students? Avoid university and work in McDonalds forever? Find rich parents to adopt you?

By CW | February 6, 2010 10:25 AM