All three private university law schools were “cut” after the relevant education committee found that there were problems and dysfunctions in a series of issues.
What is odd is that the three law schools secured a license early September and managed to get approval from the National Council of Universities.
According to media, the three law schools were rejected unanimously (5-0 votes) after the committee found that there were problems and dysfunctions in a series of issues such as the curricula and the buildings that were supposed to house the students.
For the time being, the said universities will operate without law schools, with all that this entails for the students who have already registered and have already paid their tuition fees.
It should be noted that the Athens Bar Association had also pointed out, that the study programs were far from the quality of those of public universities.
According to a post by the Professor of the Law School of the University of Athens, Panagiotis Lazaratos: “I am hereby informed that (at least at the level of a UNANIMOUS negative evaluation report) the ATHAAE will probably not recommend the certification of any of the PROGRAMS of the three private law schools that were (rather hastily) licensed. Unless the ATHAAE as the recommending authority abstains from the unanimous EVALUATION REPORT WITH REASONING, which is unlikely and legally problematic. (cf. article 3 of decision 47680 of the Supreme Council of the ETHAAE). In fact, in one of these programs, the evaluators’ observations, which are expected within the week, will possibly be extensive and radical, almost “overwhelming”.
Among others, Lazaratos point out at the insufficient teaching staff and the urban planning such as buildings, classrooms and libraries.
It is unclear what will happen with the already paid tuition fee for school year 2005-2006. According the unconfirmed rumors, the schools have offered the students “alternative options” such as to register in another department of the university, even if irrelevant to their original goal.
The establishment of private universities in Greece was heralded by the Mitsotakis government as THE … solution to all education problems that will open the way to a bright future.
Students and opposition parties sharply criticized the project saying it creates a two-class society of students, as studies in public schools and universities are without tuition fees.
From the “TOP 10 worldwide universities”, the government praised would open a branch in the country, only four made it to the end and the others obviously and politely turned their back.
PS The usual mean Greeks have been waiting for the first scandal to break out. If the tuition fees are not returned to students… there it is.
