Greek students continue to protest private university bill

ATHENS

Greek students again rallied across the country Thursday to protest the conservative party’s education reform bill, which would allow the opening of private universities.

After last week’s demonstrations, thousands of university students were again joined by university employees, organized by left-wing unions in Athens and other cities, including Thessaloniki, Patra, Chania, Heraklion, Florina and Serre, to chant strong opposition to the New Democracy (ND) party’s education reform bill and ask the government to withdraw it, citing free and public nature of the education.

The occupation of the numerous schools nationwide, which started last week, still continues.

Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis announced higher education reforms Dec. 20, allowing for the establishment of private universities in Greece.

He said private universities would be able to operate as Greek branches of foreign universities, 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 post-secondary education.

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