Greece prepares for 2026-2027 school year opening

Greek schools are set to begin the 2026-2027 academic year on Friday, September 11, 2026. The first day will focus on welcoming students, conducting religious blessings (agiasmos), and distributing textbooks, with regular classes scheduled to commence on Monday, September 14.

The Ministry of Education, led by Minister Sofia Zacharaki, has prioritized staffing to minimize shortages. Following 5,259 permanent appointments in August, the ministry has also recruited approximately 29,948 substitute teachers. A second phase of substitute recruitment is expected to be completed by the end of September, aiming for a total of 45,000 substitutes for the year.

Significant changes are being introduced this year, including the debut of the International Baccalaureate (IB) program in 11 public schools and the introduction of Ethics as a mandatory subject from the 3rd grade of primary school through the 3rd grade of high school. Additionally, a new unified framework for school excursions has been implemented to standardize safety and administrative procedures.

Infrastructure improvements are also underway, such as the recent renovation of the Ermionida Primary School, which included accessibility upgrades and facility modernizations. However, some regions face logistical challenges, such as class consolidations in Achaia and local holidays in Aegaleo that will delay the start of lessons for certain students.