Sit-ins continuing at Ionian University
CORFU. The private universities bill will be put to the vote in Parliament next week.
Sit-ins are continuing in six out of seven departments of the Ionian University, as the general assemblies of the Student Unions have decided to continue the occupations until next week.
For the teaching of courses in the spring semester, the process of distance learning has been activated, where it can be supported.
"The equipment and programmes exist for distance learning, so that classes can be conducted online," Katerina Kampasi, Deputy Vice-Dean for Academic Affairs and International Relations told Enimerosi. "However, classes that require physical presence, such as laboratories and with musical instruments, cannot be conducted in this way."
She stated that classes are being conducted normally, in person, in the Departments located on the other Ionian islands, as sit-ins are only taking place in Corfu.
The discussion of the bill for the establishment of private universities has already begun in the Parliamentary Committee on Educational Affairs, with the aim of being introduced to the Plenary Session of Parliament next week (March 7-8) for voting, in order to become state law.
However, there are reactions from the academic, student, and educational community, which are demanding its complete withdrawal and the support of public and free education.
Students from the Departments under occupation in Corfu gathered today, 29 February, as every Thursday, in the square of the former Psychiatric Hospital to express their opposition to the government's policy, renewing their appointment for protests that will take place in Athens on the days of discussion and voting on the bill in Parliament. Opposition parties have declared that they are oppose to the legislation.
MARIA BAZDRIYIANNI
Photos: Enimerosi
