Implementation of the Bologna Process Goals: On Greek State Funding

Abstract

Higher education in Greece is considered a public good, freely and indiscriminately provided to all citizens. At the same time, the over‐centralized administration of education, together with an inadequate flow of public subsidies, force households into private expenditures and render higher education an expensive asset to be acquired on the basis of social status and economic ability. Drawing on the imperative movement towards a common European higher education area, this study examines the way state investments are directed towards public universities. It concludes that the currently mismatched funding allocations are due to the absence of any concept of varying financial rewards, which should reflect the quality of the education offered and/or the students' socio‐economic background.

Notes

Note: 1. High demand is calculated according to student preferences stated in the appropriate application forms. A department is characterized as ‘high demand’ when it gathers the preference of at least 2 percent of all candidates taking the Pan‐Hellenic examinations. 2. The parenthesis next to each university in column (2) indicates high demand departments as a percentage of all departments of the university.

Source: Greek Ministry of Education and Religious Affairs (2000).