Dutch students plead for quiet room at university
A man meditates in a quiet space. Photo ANP, Bas Czerwinski
Western Europe
The National Student Union (LSVb) in the Netherlands wants more access to quiet rooms for students. They argue that these spaces, where students can also pray, belong in a neutral institute.
When students want to pray at their university, they kneel in the hallway, in the restroom or under the stairs. Not every school in the Netherlands offers students a separate room where they can pray, the Dutch daily Reformatorisch Dagblad reports.
The National Student Union received “many complaints” from students who missed such a room for silence, meditation and prayer, Elisa Weehuizen tells the Reformatorisch Dagblad. Weehuizen is the president of the LSVb. She notices that the need for quiet space has increased. Students want to be themselves at their school, she explains. “That includes praying if that is the most important in their lives.”
On Tuesday, the Student Union submitted a petition to the Dutch Parliament. Several student organisations signed it. The people behind the initiative hope that politicians will acknowledge the need for quiet rooms and ensure their accessibility.
Stimulations
In addition, quiet spaces are not only important for religious students, Weehuizen points out. Young people with ADHD or autism, too have the need to withdraw once in a while in a room without too many stimulations, she says.
Therefore, these quiet rooms should not become alternative spaces to study, the LSVb president emphasises. Students need a room where they can calm down if stress overwhelms them, she explains. “Compare it to your home where you also make a distinction between your workspace and living room.”
Neutrality
Some argue that quiet rooms threaten the neutrality of educational institutes. However, LSVb believes that these spaces actually increase the neutrality and inclusivity of schools. “Educational institutes show that way that students from minorities are also welcome and can be themselves”, the petition reads. “Neutrality is safeguarded because the use of a quiet room is an individual event and has no influence on the material that is taught.”
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