Greek teacher unions protest new school excursion regulations

Greek teacher unions, including ELME Corfu and OIELÉ, are criticizing a new Ministerial Decision regarding the framework for school excursions. The unions argue that the new regulations impose excessive bureaucracy and disproportionate legal and disciplinary responsibilities on educators.

Key concerns raised include the requirement for complex administrative tasks, such as forming three-member committees and submitting detailed evaluation reports. The unions also highlight strict deadlines for approvals—such as 20 days for international trips—and high participation thresholds (70% or two-thirds of students) required to prevent trip cancellations.

Furthermore, OIELÉ warns that the new rules may increase financial burdens on families, potentially widening educational inequalities. The federation is calling for a specialized dialogue to reform the framework, proposing measures such as making multi-day trips optional, providing additional compensation for work outside teaching hours, and exempting teachers from responsibilities unrelated to pedagogical organization.