School Nurses demand clarity on working hours and rights

The Panhellenic Association of School Nurses (PA.SY.S.NO.) is demanding clear clarifications from the Ministry of Education regarding the working hours and labor rights of PE25 school nurses. The request follows a recent ministry circular issued on October 14, 2026.

The association expressed concern that the 30-hour weekly labor limit could be used as a pretext to increase support hours or assign unrelated administrative and clerical duties. They noted that while a ministry circular states that a nurse's departure is not automatic when supported students leave, this should not lead to arbitrary extensions of support hours or inconsistent treatment across different schools.

Key points of contention include the distinction between the mandatory support work (21–25 teaching hours per week) and the total 30-hour work limit. The association also highlighted that periods without scheduled nursing tasks are essential for maintaining readiness to handle emergencies such as seizures, hypoglycemia, and injuries. They are calling for transparent, written, and uniform instructions to ensure equal treatment and to prevent the assignment of non-nursing tasks.