For weeks, thousands of students have been demonstrating in an orderly manner against a bill that would allow foreign private universities to set up campuses in Greece, arguing that this would devalue degrees from public universities.
It was only when Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis called on lawmakers to vote on the bill that the anger of thousands of protesting students really boiled over.
Greek university students clash with riot police amid tear gas and petrol bombs in Athens. Photo: Reuters
“We are afraid that our efforts to graduate will never help us get a job anywhere,” said Stratos Katselis, a 25-year-old student.
Prime Minister Mitsotakis said the bill would help tie Greece to the rest of the European Union (EU) and boost competition in higher education . He called it a key bill for a radical and bold education reform for development and social justice. "It will finally allow non-state, non-profit organizations to operate in our country," Mitsotakis said.
But these comments failed to convince thousands of students, as well as some university teachers and staff. A police official said a group broke away from the protest and threw petrol bombs at police, who then dispersed them with tear gas.
The bill is part of the Greek government's reform agenda, which includes a same-sex marriage law passed last month.
Greece spends 3% to 4% of its annual GDP on education, below the EU average. The bill also provides for increased funding for public universities, Mr Mitsotakis said.
Ngoc Anh (according to Reuters)
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