Government’s private university bill protested across Greece

By Ahmet Gencturk

ATHENS (AA) - The Greek government’s education reform bill, which will allow private universities to open, was protested across the country on Thursday.

For the sixth consecutive week, mostly left-wing students, joined by parents and university teachers, repeated their opposition to the bill which they reiterated was against the Constitution.

Apart from Athens, rallies were held in cities with universities, including but not limited to the northern port city of Thessaloniki, the central cities of Larissa and Trikala and the northwestern city of Ioannina.

The government’s pro-Western, pro-Israel foreign policy choices as well were protested by demonstrators who carried Palestinian flags and banners.

Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis announced Dec. 20 higher education reforms that would allow private universities to be established in Greece.

He said private universities would be able to operate as Greek branches of foreign educational institutions, some of which are already seeking to operate in the country.

Greece has 24 accredited public universities, as well as several private colleges.

The Constitution prohibits private institutions from operating as independent universities for postsecondary education.

Colleges generally overcome that constraint by forming collaboration agreements with foreign universities to offer undergraduate and postgraduate programs.

The bill is scheduled to be voted on later this month.