No solution in sight for universities
A day before the start of the academic year, a deadlock between university rectors and the Education Ministry over plans to dismiss over 1,300 administrative staff appeared no closer to resolution.
The Council of Rectors told media on Monday that it will back the continued closure of the eight institutions that will be affected by the mobility scheme unless the ministry agrees to abandon plans to remove 1,349 administrative staff and seek a “mutually acceptable” solution.
“Otherwise this will be a tough winter for education,” the head of the council, Yiannis Mylopoulos, warned.
The rectors argue that they are already understaffed by some 2,500 employees. They also said that they are prepared to challenge the ministry at the Council of State, the country’s highest administrative court.
However, sources at the Education Ministry suggested that if the rectors insist on keeping their universities closed – as they have done for several days now – and refuse to submit lists with the employees that will be placed in the mobility scheme, they will face charges of dereliction of duty.
