By Yannis Anifantis

His intention to vote against the bill of the Ministry of Education for the function non-state universities expressed to the relevant committee of the Parliament the former prime minister, George Papandreou, clarifying that he is in favor of revising Article 16 in order for the state to control the higher education industry.

In fact, he proposed a broader reform in Education, where students would not be required to learn through rote learning. but they will learn through critical thinking and inquiry. “My proposal is to start a meaningful discussion on Article 16, free the public universities to be much more free and in a short time we will have many young people in Greece and foreigners”, noted George Papandreou.

The former prime minister attacked the ND, claiming that “the government he comes every now and then to implement private initiatives. The first reasons are sensationalism, pressure from the lobbies”, he said characteristically and added that “inequalities and injustices will be created and for these reasons alone it is enough to vote against the bill”.

“I voted in favor of the review of Article 16 in 2008. You have a responsibility in ND for the fact that for 50 years it has not changed”, said George Papandreou.

“We should promote constitutional changes, start a consultation to change Article 16. In a few months the discussion could begin, a short time compared to 50 years, it would be much more correct” he emphasized.

“Instead of seriously opening the debate on Article 16, the government comes and gradually tries to legitimize private initiatives. For the sake of sensationalism, new inequalities will be created, the problem of higher education will not be solved” said Mr. Papandreou.

“You are bringing it (the bill) under the pressure of the lobbies, and precisely because the field was left unregulatedwe have the most private and for-profit institutions,” he noted.

“It’s a big mistake that the government is rushing to bow to pressure, rather than doing serious work on Article 16. These reasons alone are enough to vote against the bill” emphasized George Papandreou.