Junior education minister Halbe Zijstra is considering removing accreditation from four degree courses offered by the InHolland hbo college following a damning report on standards.

Zijlstra said in an initial reaction that he would study the inspectors’ report on standards at hbo colleges – also known as universities of applied science – and give a more detailed reaction within three weeks.
‘It is a serious matter and everyone involved in hbo education should work to eradicate these concerns,’ he said. ‘I do not just mean lecturers and managers but regulators and politicians.
‘Students should be sure that they are getting the standard of education they should be able to expect from the Dutch higher education system.’
Other courses
As well as four courses at InHolland, a number of other colleges were criticised for offering below standard degrees.
The minister said three areas needed tackling urgently. The accreditation for different courses should be improved, inspectors should have a bigger role and there should be improvements in examination standards and the independence of exam boards.
According to the Parool a number of InHolland students are considering going to court because their degrees have now been devalued.
The college has already offered the 82 students whose degrees were deemed to be below standard extra courses.