Dutch politician withdraws after discussion about educational history and errors in CV: “It was never my intention”

It stated that she studied Dutch law at Erasmus University in Rotterdam and studied Public Administration at Leiden University. At least, that was what could be read on her CV and LinkedIn page until recently. After further investigation De Volkskrant she adjusted that information because Van Berkel never completed those studies.

De Volkskrant Van Berkel had asked several times to provide proof of the studies she had mentioned on her CV, but she was unable to do so. The Public Administration course at Leiden University actually turns out to be an admissions process for people who want to pursue a master’s degree but do not have the right papers. She never completed that process.

She also did not complete her law course at Erasmus University. Van Berkel did not obtain her propaedeutic year. This is the certificate with which someone can demonstrate that he or she has obtained all sixty credits of the first year. Van Berkel would in fact only have a secondary diploma and a diploma for a first higher vocational education.

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“Nothing to put right”

The politician indicated that he was not aware of any harm. In a statement, she said it was not her intention to make any inaccuracies on her resume. “In my view, there is nothing that can be corrected if I say that I studied law and public administration. I just did not complete my studies. I have always neatly reported this in all procedures I have ever been involved in,” she responded to De Volkskrant on Monday.

According to prospective Dutch Prime Minister Rob Jetten, Van Berkel has always been honest in her discussions about becoming a Member of Parliament and in discussions about her role as State Secretary that she has not completed her education. The D66 party also confirmed this, although the party now indicates that it could have stated this more explicitly on its CV.

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Van Berkel announced on Monday evening via a message on “I would have loved to contribute with my knowledge and experience to a government that works better for people. But the discussion that has arisen about my educational history distracts from the important tasks facing this cabinet. I regret that. It was never my intention to give an incorrect representation of the facts on my CV. I regret that this image has arisen. Especially now that there is a lot of work to be done, I believe that the full focus should be on that,” it reads.