“We hear grand promises, but they fail to mask the mounting, severe problems in education, which are reaching a critical point,” said Marinis, according to the Athens News Agency.
In addition to the widespread staffing gaps, Marinis pointed to the ongoing issue of class mergers across the country, noting that more than 1,000 school classes have been closed, in some cases requiring students to transfer schools.
Another concern raised was the increase in substandard teaching spaces, with many students being taught in unsuitable environments, including portable classrooms or containers. Marinis expressed doubt that the €250 million earmarked by the government for improving school infrastructure would be adequately spent to address these urgent needs.
These issues will be at the forefront of discussions during the upcoming meeting between the DOE’s Board of Directors and the Ministry of Education on September 18, 2024.
Teacher Dina Reppa, a representative from the “Aristotelis” Primary Education Association, recently spoke to The Press Project (TPP) about the situation. She highlighted the widespread merging of school departments, gaps in parallel support, and the mobilisations by teachers and parent associations opposing the “rationalisation” measures imposed by the Ministry of Education.
Parent and teacher protests against class mergers have intensified, with the Municipality of Athens passing a resolution calling for their reversal.
“We fight daily for the basic protection of education, the fundamental pedagogical conditions necessary for students and teachers alike, to avoid the dystopian scenario we seem to be heading towards,” Reppa said. She reiterated the demand for smaller class sizes, advocating for a maximum of 15 students per class in kindergartens and early grades, and up to 20 in higher grades.
Reppa also called for immediate provision of parallel support for students who have been scientifically evaluated and approved to receive it.
“These are simple, essential demands. Yet, even today, substitute teachers across all specialities have not been placed. The Ministry, instead of addressing these urgent needs over the summer, focused on other matters, threatening us with further cuts and disruptions.”
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