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Greek students protest constitutional changes threatening public universities
🇬🇷 Greece /Elections & Politics

Greek students protest constitutional changes threatening public universities

From Ta Nea · () Greek

Translated from Greek, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Sources not specified Context piece
  • Students protested outside the Greek Parliament against proposed constitutional changes to Article 16, which they say would devalue public universities.
  • Protesters argued that recognizing private universities would create unequal opportunities for students who dedicate years to public education.
  • They raised concerns about the quality of private institutions, questioning their ability to produce qualified graduates, especially in technical fields.

Students rallied outside the Greek Parliament on Tuesday, voicing strong opposition to proposed constitutional amendments to Article 16. Carrying banners and chanting slogans, they defended public, free higher education and vowed to resist any changes to the current framework.

Representatives from student associations argued that the constitutional revision is part of a broader political agenda they believe will degrade public universities and bolster the presence of private educational institutions. They expressed particular concern that recognizing private universities would create an uneven playing field for students who have spent years preparing and studying at public institutions.

We are here today because the prime minister himself has announced that the constitutional revision will begin. Among everything, he gives special weight to the revision of Article 16, which enshrines our right to study publicly and for free at a free university.

— VasilikiA student representative explaining the reason for the protest.

Concerns were also raised about discussions regarding the professional recognition of college graduates and their potential integration into professional bodies. "We are here today because the prime minister himself has announced that the constitutional revision will begin," stated one student. "Among everything, he gives special weight to the revision of Article 16, which enshrines our right to study publicly and for free at a free university."

This, how they are attacking it for so many years now, and from the law on private universities, where we saw how some colleges were renamed universities and they come to sell degrees for which we struggle and fight from high school, from the panhellenic exams, with all the difficulties at university to pass and get a degree. This is the greatest mockery.

— VasilikiA student representative criticizing the proposed changes and the rise of private institutions.

The student continued, "This, how they are attacking it for so many years now, and from the law on private universities, where we saw how some colleges were renamed universities and they come to sell degrees for which we struggle and fight from high school, from the panhellenic exams, with all the difficulties at university to pass and get a degree. This is the greatest mockery."

Questions were also posed about the quality of education offered by private institutions, especially in technical fields. "Are there colleges currently offering engineering degrees? They are not recognized as universities, and it will be a very big question by what right these colleges will be recognized as universities when they don't have a single laboratory, their professors cannot even be compared to the level of the National Technical University of Athens? And how will these people bear the responsibility for building buildings and signing constructions that ultimately concern social safety?"

Are there colleges currently offering engineering degrees? They are not recognized as universities, and it will be a very big question by what right these colleges will be recognized as universities when they don't have a single laboratory, their professors cannot even be compared to the level of the National Technical University of Athens? And how will these people bear the responsibility for building buildings and signing constructions that ultimately concern social safety?

— VasilikiA student representative questioning the quality and safety standards of private institutions offering technical degrees.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by Ta Nea in Greek. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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