Dutch immigration minister happy with integration exam

Dutch Immigration Minister Rita Verdonk is satisfied with the results of the new integration exam that potential immigrants have to sit in their country of origin before they are allowed to settle in the Netherlands.

One hundred and six candidates have taken the exam since its introduction on 15 March. Only five of the candidates failed the test, which, according to Ms Verdonk, shows that the exam is not unreasonably difficult.

The procedure is based on the idea that immigrants will integrate faster if they are better prepared for life in the Netherlands. Many MPs and experts had serious reservations about the relevance of the questions in the exam and the quality of the technology used in taking it.

Source: Radio Netherlands, 24 May 2006