Greek students protest government plan for private universities

Police clashed with students who rallied in Athens against planned education reforms that would allow the introduction of private universities in the country, Report informs, citing Euronews.

The conservative government of Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis, who won a second term last year, is expected to submit a bill to parliament this month that would permit private universities to operate in the country as Greek branches of foreign universities.

Announcing the bill last December, Mitsotakis said it aimed to attract foreign students to the country and make a significant contribution to the Greek economy.

Student unions believe the move will devalue degrees from Greece's public universities and that the private system will exclude those who cannot afford it.