Pressure mounts on lecturers as student numbers rise

Almost seven in 10 university academic staff say they have to work under a lot of pressure and 70% do at least six hours’ overtime a week, reports DutchNews.nl.

The figures are part of a survey by trade union federation FNV carried out on university staff ahead of key pay talks which will start this year. The FNV questioned 2,500 university staff, including lecturers and support services. Some 50% of teaching staff said they did not have enough time to prepare properly for lessons or to take breaks. The increase in student numbers also means teaching staff have less time for research, FNV spokesman Jan Boersma told broadcaster NOS.

According to education ministry figures, there has been a 60% increase in the number of university students since 2000 but the number of academic staff has only risen 14%, NOS said. The FNV says it will focus on the balance between teaching and research in the new pay talks. Salaries will also be up for discussion.
Full report on the DutchNews.nl site