The national pilot scheme is for students that are taking in-person exams
A pilot scheme will begin on Monday in Groningen to look into how rapid testing can increase in-person learning in Dutch higher education, reports the GIC. 100 students from the University of Groningen and Hanze University of Applied Sciences will be tested prior to exams. MBO, HBO and WO students will all have access to tests.
With the pilot, the Ministry of Education, Culture and Science wants to investigate how physical education can be made more possible, and what role rapid tests can play in this. Initially, testing will only done prior to exams. The students will test themselves and receive the results within three hours.
Positive test
Students who have tested positive are will be called by the GGD, and they can then take a resit later, and in some cases take their exam online. With a negative test, the student can simply take the exam in person. Social distancing measures, such as keeping a distance of 1.5 meters, will continue to apply to all students, even if they have been tested negative.
The RUG and Hanze University of Applied Sciences are asking their students to take part in the pilot. In time, this can help to open exams and physical education further as soon as the situation permits.
On the basis of this pilot, the institutions, together with the Aletta Jacobs School of Public Health, will look into the effect of the rapid tests on safety during exams and how this affects the spread of the Coronavirus.
Subsequently, behavioral, legal, technical and logistical elements will be examined, to see how such a rapid test location could also be used for practical lessons, for example.
The Noorderpoort college is providing students that are training as doctor’s assistants, and administrative services for the pilot.
Three test locations
The Ministry of Education, Culture and Education has designated three education cities that are starting with a pilot rapid test location. In addition to Groningen, Amsterdam and Delft are also looking into the possibilities for rapid test locations. Universities, colleges and ROCs are participating in the pilots.
