PASOK governments have justifiably been accused in the past of serving politically expedient objectives by setting up university departments in every town and village.

Unfortunately, the conservative administration is repeating the Socialist blunder, though by following a slightly different path. For this year’s national university entrance examinations were so easy that few students will fail to make the pass grade. As a result, complaints from provincial cities about dwindling numbers of students will ease.

The government, however, should treat education as a national issue and under no circumstances lower the bar merely to serve its own political interests. National examinations are designed to evaluate a student’s ability to attend university courses. The exams must not become an issue in the pre-election period. Ancient Greek, history and geometry should not become the tools used by parties to play their political games.