Gümülcine students to stage new rally for free public education

Student associations at Democritus University of Thrace (DUTH) have called for a student and school pupil rally in Gümülcine (Komotini) on Thursday, 5 November, demanding stronger public funding and free access to education.

The rally, organised by the Student Associations of Greek Philology and Language and Philology of the Black Sea Countries, is scheduled to begin at 11:00 in Komotini's central square.

Under the slogan "From Greece to France, we fight for public and free education", the associations are protesting what they describe as chronic underfunding of higher education, a shortage of student accommodation and the rising costs faced by students.

They claim that university accommodation at DUTH currently meets the needs of only 9% of its student population. They also point to poor living conditions in student residences, expenses for academic materials and the cost of travelling to and from university departments.

The associations oppose the deletion of students from university registers and the establishment of private universities. They argue that education and accommodation should not be treated as commodities and that students should not be expected to bear the financial burden of university services.

STUDENTS LINK EDUCATION DEMANDS TO WIDER EUROPEAN PROTESTS
In their joint statement, the associations said young people and workers across Europe were mobilising against cuts to social spending, rising living costs and what they described as the commercialisation of education, healthcare and housing.

They referred to demonstrations in France and Spain, nationwide education protests in Greece on 21 October, and labour mobilisation by dockworkers in more than 110 ports across five continents.

The student groups argued that governments were prioritising military spending while failing to meet social needs. They criticised the Greek government and other political parties, claiming that public resources were being directed towards military expenditure and tax exemptions rather than education and student welfare.

KEY DEMANDS
The associations have put forward a series of demands ahead of Thursday's demonstration, including:

• Increased annual state funding for universities and additional emergency funding for DUTH.
• Renovation and expansion of student residences.
• The use of university and public property to establish additional free public accommodation.
• Higher student housing allowances and broader eligibility criteria.
• Free transport for all students between university departments and student residences.
• Free, high-quality meals in all university dining halls.
• Additional university funding to cover academic materials and supplies.
• Lower prices in university cafeterias.
• Free internet access for all students.
• The abolition of municipal fees for homes rented by students.
• An end to the deletion of students from university registers, particularly as many students work alongside their studies.

The associations called on students and school pupils to join the demonstration, saying they intended to make their demands heard once again on 5 November.

The claims and figures cited in this article, including the estimate that accommodation serves 9% of DUTH students, reflect the statements of the student associations.