An extremely high workload, lecturers whose comments affect the self-image and self-confidence of students and a climate of intimidation. These are the main findings of an independent investigation into the complaints about the Amsterdam fashion school AMFI.
Speaking two months ago NH News and AT5 fifty students and nine (former) teachers about the atmosphere at the fashion school. According to students, the climate is unsafe and there is said to be a culture of fear and silence. There have been complaints about teachers making racist or sexist remarks and students often say they feel belittled. Furthermore, students would sometimes have to work through the night under the influence of performance-enhancing drugs.
Fashion students are now demanding the departure of the director and senior lecturer.
‘Socially unsafe organisation’
The CDA asked the Minister of Education for clarification. The Education Inspectorate conducts research into courses in the art and fashion sector in higher education, which also includes the AMFI.
The school also decided to have an independent investigation carried out. The research bureau spoke with 39 (former) students and 70 employees of AMFI. The report they released today is critical. According to the researchers, the school is experienced as ‘a socially unsafe to very unsafe organisation’. This is confirmed by the majority of people who participated in the study, writes NH News.
Humiliated by teachers
Describing (former) students in the report some teachers as follows: “They are not coaches, mentors or trainers, they are not people who want to make you better. They are hard, villainous judges trying to outdo each other in socially unsafe remarks, in a Voice of Hollandlike talent show.”
Feedback is often experienced by students as humiliating, rude and unnecessarily negative. Examples are: “This is not fashion, this is just ugly. You are not the AMFI material. This is too flat. Your work is sexless, are you a lesbian?”
Manipulative teacher
The researchers state that one teacher is systematically cited by students as the instigator of the harassment at school. He is said to be “unethical, narcissistic, irresponsible and manipulative”.
Teachers also specifically mention a number of fellow teachers as maintainers of the culture of social insecurity.
‘Bad apples have to go’
However, according to the researchers, improvements have been made to the AMFI in the past two years. The workload has been reduced and there is more personal attention for students. The majority of students and staff see this as positive.
The researchers come up with recommendations, such as more transparency. Teachers and students also make suggestions for educational changes themselves. But the main emphasis is on stopping matters from being covered up and sending a number of employees away.
Director Dirk Reynders of AMFI leaves in a statement know how to “make good use of this and to immediately implement the recommendations from the report.” He apologizes for the wrongdoing.
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