DUTCH MIGRANTS OBLIGED TO DO NATURALISATION COURSE

The Dutch authorities decided that around half a million people will have to finish a naturalisation course successfully. The new measure effects all inhabitants between 15 and 60 years that do not have the Dutch nationality. The possible education will also have to paid by the target group. It is estimated that these costs can be far too high.

Because the advisory council of the government had juridical objections, the Minister of Integration Verdonk could not bring her original plan – to oblige all migrants that speak bad Dutch to do the naturalisation course - in practice. The plan was unfeasible since it is not allowed to make distinction by birth. Apart from this all naturalised non-natives that got the Dutch nationality should be able to trust the fact that they are equal to natives. Although the authorities assume that the new plan is sound, the obligation to do the naturalisation course is still enforced by birth and part of the naturalised non-natives still have to officially naturalise.

The people that will be obliged to do the naturalisation course are made responsible to finish the course and to pass one’s exam. The possible education will also have to paid by the target group. It is estimated that these costs can be far too high. When the course is finished within the given period of three years, part of the costs can be reimbursed. The Minister of integration also demanded that the exams should have a connection to the social environment. As an example she used parents that will have to learn how the school system works and how ‘children are brought up here’.

Minister Verdonk can not yet make clear how she wants to track down the people that are obliged to do the naturalisation course. For this she will still have to have consultation with the association of Dutch municipalities and the organisation that will have to examine the target group. An other plan is to already oblige immigrants to do a naturalisation course in the country of origin. This plan turns out to be very difficult in matter of organisation and costs.

Until now the naturalisation courses that were introduced in 1998 are very well attended. In 2003 45.000 so-called newcomers and 17.000 so-called ‘old-comers’ participated in the naturalisation course. From the first category 10% dropped out and from the second group 20%. In the field of linguistic skills 40% reached a level that was good enough for the labour market or for a continuation course. Especially the group ‘old-comers’ has huge difficulties with the language. 60% of this group did not made much progress in 2003. A large part of this group is illiterate. more features

October 19, 2005