The issue of addressing the violence in universities and the imposition of sanctions on people involved in illegal actions, as well as in the administrations of HEIs in cases where the law is not implemented is expected to be discussed at the Rectors meeting at the Friday meeting, where the political leadership of the Ministry will participate.

In his statements on the sidelines of the Synod, Deputy Minister of Education Nikos Papaioannou announced that there would be a legislative initiative very soon, concerning the tightening of the already existing institutional framework, as well as the timeframe.

“Articles under Law 4957/2022 provide for various procedures concerning penalties and penalties to those who carry out illegal acts. The state, based on the latest events, sees that while there are predictions, both at the criminal and disciplinary level, some procedures do not lead to fast results. The Prime Minister’s urging to the political leadership of the Ministry of Education is soon-and this will happen very soon-to present a legislative initiative-immediately implemented, clearly in the direction of the consequences for both those who take these illegal actions-at the level of criminal, They are now called upon to apply the relevant legislation immediately and quickly, “said Papaioannou.

The deputy minister clarified that with the Minister of Education Sofia Zacharakis will raise these issues at the Rectors Summit by noting that “the images of the previous ones, both in Athens’s Law and the Polytechnic of the Painter, do not honor the Greek State” He pointed out, however, that “today there is no active occupation in a university campus, and has been embedded in both the academic community and society that the public authority, that is, the police, when any illegal action occurs, is intervening and all is due to its first law that its first law voted for by Kyriaki.

Concerning the discussion with the rectors of the prospect of sanctions in the case of non -application of laws, Mr Papaioannou stressed that “laws are passed to apply” by clarifying: “As with any meeting, so, political leadership will discuss with the Rectors all these issues. The government decides in the end, but the current government in all areas decides through dialogue and cooperation. So I’m sure none of the Rectors want to see in the institutions of such illegal actions […] My view is that anyone who is really interested in exercising management and all those who run in universities at all levels should keep in mind that there will be times when they break eggs and have to break eggs. “

Asked about the Rector of the International University of Greece (DIPAE), Stamatis Angelopoulos replied: “The meeting is ongoing. The issue has been raised and will also be put tomorrow in the presence of the Minister and the Deputy Minister. The point is how we can reduce these abusive actions. There are institutions that have instituted security plans, money has been given. So there is a decision to implement security plans, which will help very much in dealing with such incidents. Beyond that, funding is a matter for a university to hire a sufficient number of guards. And the third stage is to have a framework that enables both the Rector’s administration and the security systems to provide this project at a satisfactory level, “said Angelopoulos.

“I think we have all accepted the application of the law. From then on it is a matter of framework and how much the university wants to solve such procedural issues. Each university has its own academic community and there are students’ reactions. But I think it is an abscess that must stop existing, “he explained.