In the wake of news that Greece is planning to introduce education reforms that would allow the introduction of private universities, students have occupied the schools.
According to Kathimerini, more than half of university faculties are under occupation by students in protest.
Around 250 out of the total 450 faculties and departments are now occupied, with the number continuing to rise.
The issue has mobilised students, resulting in higher-than-usual participation in faculty assemblies, but the levels of participation remains small compared to the total number of students in each faculty.
It’s been said a large number of students are not participating in fear of being denounced if they go against the factions calling for mobilisation, hoping the situation will defuse once the new law is passed.
The government has also faced allegations of underfunding and downgrading state universities to favour private education.
Education Minister Kyriakos Pierrakakis refuted this in parliament saying “to assert that funding is decreasing when it has consistently risen is nothing but misinformation.”
“The numbers speak for themselves,” he said as he referenced the 92 million euros received in 2018.
This number rose to 133 million last year and according to Pierrakakis, total funding exceeds one billion with other sources of funding.
Last week, students in Athens clashed with police during protests that saw authorities resort to the use of teargas.
