The Issue

Due to recent budget cuts in higher education, our dedicated and inspiring teacher, Marie German, is at risk of losing her teaching position. The university's financial constraints have led to the discontinuation of long-term contracts, resulting in the dismissal of highly qualified educators—despite their exceptional performance and the clear need for their roles.

Currently, the system only allows for six-month contracts, which can be renewed once. However, after one year, employees must leave the institution for a mandatory six-month period before they can reapply. This policy serves to avoid granting permanent contracts but comes at a great cost.

The Consequences:

• Talented educators leave just as they have fully adapted to their roles.
  Departments are forced to continuously hire and train new staff, creating unnecessary disruption.
• The quality of education declines due to the lack of continuity in teaching staff.
• Team cohesion suffers, leading to inefficiency and confusion.
  The policy undermines job security, making academic careers increasingly unstable.
• As students, we strongly oppose this decision. We believe that exceptional educators like Marie German should be retained for the benefit of students, faculty, and the university as a whole.

About Marie German
Marie German (MSc. Clinical Psychology) is a passionate and highly skilled educator at Leiden University. At just 27 years old, she has already made a significant impact on students through her dedication, expertise, and enthusiasm for teaching.

Originally from Germany, Marie has lived in Canada and Australia before moving to the Netherlands to pursue her psychology studies. She completed both the International Bachelor of Psychology (IBP) and the Clinical Psychology Master’s program at Leiden University, where she discovered her passion for sharing knowledge.

After graduating, she worked in a child and adolescent psychology practice in The Hague. In September 2024, she joined the IBP program as part of the ABO education team. From the very beginning, Marie’s enthusiasm for teaching was evident, and she quickly became a valued member of the faculty. Her passion and motivation are reflected in her classes, where she creates an engaging and supportive learning environment.

Marie is not just a teacher—she is a mentor, a role model, and an integral part of our academic experience. Losing her due to bureaucratic policies would be a disservice to students, faculty, and the university’s reputation.
We urge the university to reconsider its hiring policies and take action to ensure that talented educators like Marie German can continue to contribute to Leiden University