As part of the annual ‘Day of the Carer’ on Monday, the CD&V party has called for a distinct status for the more than 60,000 caregiving students in Flanders.
According to CD&V, around 64,000 young people in Flemish higher education juggle their studies with taking care of a loved one. This dual responsibility can significantly impact their academic success and mental health, the party noted, yet there is no special status to support them. The party criticised the varied approaches of higher education institutions, leaving students at the mercy of each institution’s willingness to accommodate.
Flemish parliament members Brecht Warnez and Katrien Schryvers are advocating for the establishment of a uniform status to mark the ‘Day of the Carer.’ They propose that caregiving students should be granted the right to staggered exams, flexible deadlines, and customised study programmes.
This initiative should also include appropriate funding. Institutions should receive additional government support for caregiving students, similar to the existing provisions for working students or those with disabilities.
