Government wants to change the law: demonstrations against private universities in Greece

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Student associations and teachers’ union OLME called for the protests on Thursday. “No to private universities,” “Hands off our education” and “Education must remain free for everyone,” the demonstrators chanted, state broadcaster ERT reported.

The Greek Constitution currently prohibits the establishment of private universities. It states that education must be freely accessible and free. The conservative government wants to change the legal situation and issue appropriate permits in the future. The background is on the one hand the adjustment to EU law, but on the other hand the attempt to keep young students in the country. Many Greeks study abroad if their parents have the money, as universities in Britain, Germany and the US are considered of better quality.

The OLME association condemned the project as commercialization of education. However, opinions are divided among teachers. You understand the parents who want to provide their children with good education, a professor at a Greek university told the German news agency. “That is why I am not necessarily against private universities, but they should first invest in the state universities.” Professors only earned about 1,600 euros per month. That was a shame, she said. (SDA)

Source: Blick