Hicham El Ouahabi | The coalition agreement is an outright middle finger to the academic community
Precisely at a time when science is supposed to play a major role, the new cabinet is choosing to make drastic cuts, writes Hicham El Ouahabi. “A more powerful expression of contempt for knowledge and expertise could hardly be imagined.”
Hope, courage, and pride. With those words, the coalition agreement was recently introduced. Students and the academic community had long known that little good could be expected. But that the agreement would amount to an outright middle finger, yes, that is, how shall I put it, over the top.
Let me start with what I would unhesitatingly refer to as the most tragic: drastic cuts to science. It seems like a paradox. At the very time when there is a great need for scientific breakthroughs and enlightening insights, a time when the line between fact and fiction is increasingly blurred, the choice is made to make drastic cuts. It is incredible, but unfortunately not surprising against the background of populism. A more powerful expression of contempt for knowledge and expertise could hardly be imagined.
Students are not being spared either, especially those who for whatever reason need a little more time to study. The long-study penalty that was previously abolished is destined to return. That means students will have to pay an additional €3,000 in annual tuition if they take more than one year off. Who would think of such a thing at a time when social awareness about performance pressure and student welfare is increasing? This indeed absolutely requires “guts,” but the kind where not a shred of shame is to be found.
I am by no means suggesting that everything in the world of higher education was rosy prior to this agreement. Lack of leadership, vision, and clarity already seemed chronic. Nor is it new that the concerns of students, young people, and academia are low on the priority list. The only new thing is that this is now more or less in writing. How should we draw “hope” from this? Well ... let's just try.
Anyway, I, and probably you, too, are lucky that at least we retain access to the legal system. This is in contrast to asylum seekers who can no longer appeal to the courts according to this coalition agreement. So things could always be worse. And therein lies the essence of the new reality. When the fundamental rights of others are ruthlessly taken away, you quickly become satisfied with your own situation, even if it means going backwards. After all, you think you are immune from the worst.
And cause for despair? Why would that be necessary? Soon we will be allowed to drive 130 km/h again, and that, of course, is how you build the future! At least this way we have something to keep up the appearance of pride.
