ATHENS, Greece (AP) — More than 300,000 inactive university students in Greece have been kicked out of the program, authorities said Friday, reducing the country’s official student population by nearly half.
The move marks the end of a decades-long practice – which recent legislation formally abolished – of allowing for extended admissions to promote lifelong learning and long breaks from work.
On Friday, the Department of Education said 308,605 students who were admitted to four-year degree programs at public universities before 2017 have been removed from records.
“Student status at any modern European university is not valid for life,” said Education Minister Sofia Zacharaki. “We want degrees that are valuable and reflect effort, skill and passion.”
Ministry of Education officials said about 35,000 people will successfully apply for readmission in 2025.
Opponents of the conservative government’s reforms, mainly from academia, argue that the second chance program fails to address the scale of damage caused by Greece’s severe financial crisis over the past decade.
According to 2024 data from the Hellenic Higher Education Authority, the number of active students in the country is just over 350,000, studying in 25 public higher education institutions.
Undergraduate degree programs at state universities are usually funded by the government. Until recently, only public universities offering state-recognized degrees operated in Greece. But recognized private universities are gradually introducing it.
Department of Education officials said dormant students – those whose studies are interrupted – do not impose any direct financial burden on universities but cause administrative difficulties.
“By updating student lists, universities are able to plan more accurately,” said Nikos Papaioannou, deputy education minister.
“This is a prerequisite for improving the academic quality, day-to-day operations and the criteria used to evaluate the international rankings of Greek universities.”
