Greece teachers to strike on October 21 as nationwide education protests planned

Teachers, school students and university students are expected to join demonstrations across Greece on Wednesday, October 21, as educators demand higher salaries, better working conditions, safer school buildings and increased public funding for education.

The protests will take place in Athens, Thessaloniki and other cities following strike calls by the country’s primary and secondary education unions. The mobilisations are expected to highlight staff shortages, overcrowded classrooms and concerns over school infrastructure and education policies.

Demonstrations scheduled in Athens and Thessaloniki
The Greek Primary Education Teachers’ Federation (DOE) has called a 24-hour strike for October 21. According to its official announcement, a rally will take place at Propylaia Square in Athens at noon, while a demonstration in Thessaloniki is scheduled for 11:30 a.m. at the Venizelos statue. Further gatherings are planned across the country.

Secondary school teachers have also announced industrial action through the Federation of Secondary Education State School Teachers (OLME), with a work stoppage scheduled from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. OLME has also called on local teachers’ unions to organise additional stoppages from 8 a.m. to 11 a.m.

The unions say the action is intended to draw attention to mounting problems in public education and press the government to address teachers’ working conditions and students’ educational needs.

Teacher shortages and overcrowded classrooms among key concerns
Educators have raised concerns over persistent staff shortages despite the start of the academic year. They point to gaps in subjects including music, theatre education and visual arts, as well as shortages of teachers, school nurses and psychologists in full-day schools.

Teachers are also criticising classroom sizes of 25 to 26 students, arguing that overcrowding makes effective teaching more difficult and limits the support available to students with special educational needs.

The unions are calling for additional recruitment to fill vacancies and for adequate staffing across mainstream, full-day and special education programmes.

School safety and funding under scrutiny
The condition of school buildings, maintenance deficiencies and insufficient school budgets are also expected to feature prominently in the protests.

Educators are demanding comprehensive earthquake-safety inspections and the completion of necessary reinforcement works. The source report also highlights the continued use of temporary container classrooms at five schools on Samos, six years after the 2020 earthquake.

The unions argue that public schools need greater financial support to provide safe learning environments and meet students’ educational needs.

Teachers demand 20% pay rise and restored bonuses
Among the demands outlined in the strike call are a 20% salary increase, the restoration of 13th- and 14th-month salary payments, and housing assistance for educators facing high accommodation costs.

Teachers also want free transport to and from work for those employed away from their places of residence.

Other demands include permanent appointments for temporary teachers, additional funding for public education and measures to ensure that full-day schools have sufficient staff and resources.

Union rights and education reforms also on the agenda
The protests are also expected to address trade union rights, disciplinary proceedings linked to union activity and opposition to the current teacher evaluation system.

Educators have further criticised proposed changes to the upper-secondary school leaving and university entrance examination systems. They are calling for support for free school meals and protection of the rights of students participating in demonstrations.

University students plan overnight camp in Athens
University students are reportedly planning to set up camp at Syntagma Square in Athens on the evening of Tuesday, October 20, ahead of the nationwide demonstrations.

They are expected to join teachers and secondary school students in the following day's protests, broadening the mobilisation beyond the teaching profession.

The October 21 demonstrations are set to focus on staffing shortages, school safety, teachers’ pay and the future of Greece’s public education system.