Greek kindergarten educators protest new Ministry of Education circular

A new circular issued by the Greek Ministry of Education has caused significant unrest among kindergarten educators, particularly in the Achaia region. The directive alters the operational terms of these school units, leading to concerns regarding institutional dysfunction.

A primary point of contention is the requirement for kindergarten principals to take on a morning class. Educators argue that this horizontal regulation ignores the specific needs of individual school units and hinders the ability of principals to perform their administrative duties effectively.

Critics, including elected representative Tasos Stavrogiannopoulos, point out a contradiction in the circular: while it acknowledges the institutional role of Teachers' Associations in distributing classes, it simultaneously predetermines specific teacher assignments via administrative instruction. Educators are calling for the withdrawal of the regulation or its suspension for the current school year, emphasizing the need for permanent staff, administrative support, and respect for collective decision-making processes.