Education Minister Nikos Filis is bringing back “eternal students” to Greek universities and technical colleges by annulling the 2011 “Diamantopoulou” article.
Filis tabled several amendments in parliament on Tuesday night including the annulment of the article that says that students who fail to enroll in two consecutive semesters, automatically lose their student status.
According to Law 4009/2011, students are obligated to enroll at the beginning of each semester on dates set by the rectorship and indicate the courses chosen. If they are not properly registered for two consecutive semesters they are automatically deleted from the school lists with a declaratory act by the Rector.
The education minister brought to parliament the abolition of the article on “eternal students” along with several amendments on public and private education.
The house plenary will discuss the “Arrangements for the Greek language education, intercultural education and other provisions” bill on Wednesday (today). According to opposition parties, Filis is trying to bring ideological dividing lines in education and wants to degrade private schools.
The education minister defended his choices saying that the ministry aims at a “democratic education reform,” “quality and equality” and “upgrading public education.”
New Democracy MP Maximos Charakopoulos addressed Filis in parliament saying, “I do not know if you are looking for class enemies or use education to give exams to your party core as to how leftist you are.” And he added: “You should know, however, that the 85,000 families who choose private education are not rich.”
Golden Dawn lawmakers denounced all provisions on intercultural education. PASOK lawmakers criticized the proposed bill as lacking in “vision and strategy.” The Centrists Union, the Greek Communist Party (KKE) and To Potami also criticized Filis’ proposals.
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