The first crack came from the previous Minister of Education, the professor of the Panteion University Mr. Konstantinos Arvanitopoulos, who under pressure – or rather in search of expanding his electoral clientele, expanded the cycle of beneficiaries who can apply for a university transfer.
Now another professor from the Panteion University is coming to finish off what is left of Greek universities.
Mr. Andreas Loverdos, the great “reformer, who did everything he could to become minister, deemed the number of beneficiaries to be insufficient and increased them, completely disregarding the Panhellenic examination process and the meritocratic composition of university schools that derives from the exams.
But that is not all. After he introduced vague and comfortable income criteria, he estimated that the number of student transfers may be up to 20.000 in the new academic year!
This will be very difficult for the central universities, which will be called upon to provide for additional students with limited funds and grants.
In search of populist solution and having accumulated great experience at the Panteion University, Mr. Loverdos appeared in Parliament and proposed distance learning, teaching by mail.
It is a clear case of one thing leading to another and everything leads to catastrophe.
Unfortunately because Mr. Loverdos was unable to serve the reform that he used to vehemently support, he has returned with a vengeance, where he always belonged.
In order to overcome his political dead end he chose a completely catastrophic measure.
What is left of the Greek universities will be finished off by distance learning and teaching by mail.
And all of this is going on just so that Mr. Loverdos can extend his presence in politics. Have mercy Mr. Minister. Enough is enough!
Antonis Karakousis
