01-09-16 University Special Teaching Staff (EDIP) measure and Mr. Mavrotas’ inaccuracies

Potami party MP Yorgos Mavrotas in a statement speaks of “on the sly legislation”, referring to a legal-technical improvement to the education bill, regarding University Special Teaching Staff (EDIP), that was tabled by Education Minister Nikos Filis and Alternate Minister Sia Anagnostopoulou, and passed by  parliament. The particular provision was passed by the MPs of the SYRIZA and the Independent Greeks parties, who voted ‘yes’.  The Greek Communist Party (KKE) and Potami voted “present”.  New Democracy, the Democratic Coalition and Golden Dawn and Golden Dawn voted it down.

From the above, one may conclude that Mr. Mavrotas, if his assertions were well-grounded, he had every opportunity to vote down the amendment that contained the said provision, as did other opposition parties. He did not do so, and his after-the-fact accusations expose him to the reasonable charges that, either he has no idea what is going on, or that it is resorting to “on the sly” opposition.  Unfortunately, this is not the first time. He knows.

On the substance: It is known that in the recent past, Democratic Coalition MP Mrs. Hara Kefalidou had tabled a similar amendment, which provided that EDIP members could stand as candidates for the post of assistant professor, and not lecturer, as the provision that was passed provides. At the time, Alternate Education Minister Anagnostopoulou had characterised the demand of EDIP members as just, and pledged to study the issue.  All this is recorded in the minutes of parliament, so Mr. Mavrotas’ allegations of a deception of parliament are entirely unfounded.

Afterwards, a review of the issue showed that due to the prolonged lack of appointments at universities, there are academics with qualifications similar to those of lecturers, who for years have been stuck in posts of laboratory personnel with no chance of promotion. These academics all have Ph.D.s, research and even teaching experience.

Now that through the actions of SYRIZA appointments have finally been unblocked, it was decided through the amendment tabled to satisfy their demand, and at the same time to afford yet another opportunity to university faculties and departments to hire staff. That decision was made by the universities themselves, and not the ministry. If universities and tertiary technical schools decide through their own procedures that certain EDIP members should be able to stand for the post of lecturer, they can do so. If not, that staff will continue to work under its current status. This is the truth, which unfortunately Mr. Mavrotas and those who believe his inaccuracies have attempted to distort. .

Finally, because there are already whispers from well known centres of vested interests about an alleged link between this arrangement with individuals who have once again been targeted unjustly to their relationship with political figures, we call upon public opinion to repudiate those who inspired this wretchedness and those who reproduce it.