Greek Ministry justifies merger of Zitsa and Ioannina vocational centers

The Greek Ministry of Education has justified the merger of the Zitsa Vocational Training Center (SAEK) with the Ioannina SAEK, citing sustainability and operational efficiency. According to Deputy Minister Konstantinos Vlasis, the decision was driven by the high cost of operating three parallel structures in the region, small class sizes of fewer than 15 students, and a high student dropout rate of 27% to 37% between semesters.

The Ministry also noted that the Zitsa facility lacked its own laboratories, forcing students to use the Ioannina center. Furthermore, the current course offerings, such as Digital Marketing and Accounting, were deemed disconnected from the local agricultural and viticultural character for which the center was originally established.

In response to a parliamentary inquiry by Ioannina MP Ioannis Tsimaris, critics argue the Ministry's reasoning is fragmented. Tsimaris contends that the decision relies on data from a single recent year rather than long-term trends and fails to address whether there is a broader restructuring plan for other vocational centers in Epirus, such as the one in Konitsa. Critics suggest that instead of a merger, the center should have been updated with specialties like viticulture and dairy production to meet local needs.