Education protests sweep Greece as students camp outside university in Rodophe

Teachers, students, parents and public-sector workers are staging nationwide demonstrations across Greece on Wednesday, with rallies planned in more than 50 cities over low wages, staff shortages, education funding and the rising cost of living. 

In Komotini (Gümülcine), students from across northeastern Greece have set up tents outside the rectorate of Democritus University of Thrace (DUTH), highlighting the growing burden of housing, food and transportation costs.

Teachers launch 24-hour strike

Most of the primary and secondary school teachers are participating in a 24-hour strike on October 21, while the public-sector union federation ADEDY has called on public employees to stop work from 11 a.m. until the end of their shifts in solidarity with education workers.

The main demonstration in Athens is scheduled for noon at Propylaea, near the University of Athens. In Thessaloniki, demonstrators are due to gather at the Venizelos Statue at 11 a.m., while a rally in Patras is scheduled for 10:30 a.m. at Agiou Georgiou Square.

Students, university associations and parents are also joining the mobilization, broadening the protests beyond the teaching profession.

University students began demonstrating in central Athens on Tuesday evening, gathering at Syntagma Square for a concert before setting up tents and spending the night there to protest housing difficulties and rising living expenses.

Students set up tents in Rodophe

In Komotini (Gümülcine), students began setting up tents outside the Administration Building and Rectorate of Democritus University of Thrace on Wednesday morning. Participants arrived from Kavala, Xanthi (İskeçe), Alexandroupoli (Dedeağaç) and Komotini (Gümülcine).

The students said the high cost of studying, inadequate student accommodation, problems with university residence buildings and food services, and expensive bus transportation were making university life increasingly difficult.

According to the students, only around 9% of the university's students can live in student residences, leaving many struggling to cover private accommodation costs alongside their other expenses.

“The dilemma is whether we go hungry or freeze, or pay for things that the state and the university should provide for our studies,” the students said, describing the pressure of electricity bills on themselves and their families.

They also criticized what they described as a lack of funding for student welfare while profits in other sectors continue to rise and public money is allocated to military spending.

The students said they stood in solidarity with school and university students across Greece and other European countries seeking better living conditions. They are also expected to participate in Wednesday's demonstrations in Komotini's central square.

Teachers demand higher pay and more staff

Teachers represented by the primary education federation DOE and the secondary education federation OLME are demanding a 20% salary increase and the restoration of the 13th and 14th salary payments.

Their demands also include housing assistance for teachers working far from their permanent homes, free transportation to and from work, the immediate filling of vacant teaching positions and permanent appointments for substitute teachers.

Unions are also calling for increased funding for safe school buildings, free meals at all-day schools and an end to prosecutions linked to trade union activity and the right to strike.

OLME says public education continues to face serious challenges, including approximately 15,000 vacant teaching positions, insufficient school funding and salaries that do not provide teachers with adequate living conditions.

The federation has also criticized what it describes as the categorization of schools, including model schools, Onassis Schools and International Baccalaureate programs. It opposes planned changes to upper secondary education and university admissions, arguing that they would place greater emphasis on examinations.

“We are striking on October 21 for modern, safe schools with all the necessary staff, teachers who can live with dignity, and free public education that meets the modern educational needs of all children,” OLME said.

Public-sector workers join demonstrations

ADEDY has called on public employees throughout Greece to join the mobilization, demanding higher wages, permanent recruitment across public services, secure employment for contract workers and increased funding for education and health care.

University employees, hospital doctors and special education staff are among those expected to participate.

Public hospital doctors represented by OENGE are scheduled to gather outside the Finance Ministry in Athens at noon, with parallel demonstrations planned in other cities.

Pensioners' organizations have called a separate rally at Kotzia Square at 10 a.m., followed by a march to the Health Ministry. Temporary employees of the Culture Ministry are also due to gather outside the ministry on Bouboulinas Street at 10:30 a.m.

Police on alert as rallies take place

A significant police presence is expected in Athens during Wednesday's demonstrations as authorities prepare for the nationwide mobilization.

Education Minister Sofia Zacharaki addressed the planned protests on Tuesday while highlighting government initiatives concerning student welfare.

Schools and public transport

Schools are not automatically closed because of the strike. Classes may take place where teachers are not participating in the industrial action, although arrangements will depend on staffing at individual schools.

Public transportation in Athens is expected to operate normally, as transport workers are not covered by ADEDY's action and no strikes or work stoppages have been announced for the metro, electric railway, tram, buses or trolleybuses.

Demonstrators are therefore expected to be able to use public transport to reach the main rallies without announced changes to services.

Source-Photo:tovima-ERT