Greece school protests erupt over class mergers and teacher shortages

Teachers, parents, and students in Greece are protesting against the merger of school classes and significant teacher shortages following the start of the new academic year. In Piraeus, the ELME union reports approximately 300 full-time teaching vacancies, with 200 of those specifically in special education, a sector described as being in a particularly difficult state.

Critics, including the ELAS political sector, accuse the New Democracy government of using class mergers to mask these staffing gaps rather than hiring new educators. They argue that increasing the number of students per classroom undermines teaching quality, limits personalized instruction, and creates disruptive environments.

In Athens, mass demonstrations have taken place at the Directorate of Secondary Education of 4th Athens. Protesters are demanding the reversal of class cancellations and mergers, noting that many of these decisions were implemented after the school year had already begun, disrupting established schedules and teacher placements.