Toward equality in education
According to available evidence, the idea to increase the value-added tax on private school fees to 23 percent came from the Greek government. The measure has not yet been signed into law and there is still hope that reason will prevail. After all, the leftist-led administration’s soft spot for ideologically loaded symbolism has produced nothing but havoc over the past six months.
About 6 percent of the country’s pupils go to private schools – and they are by no means all from rich families. Many middle-class families have been making economic sacrifices to be able to send their children to the usually better-equipped private schools.
It would be more appropriate if the government were to make an effort to improve conditions at public schools, instead of seeking to undermine private institutions by means of excess taxation. Now that would be a step closer to equal opportunities in education.
