The new school year begins in Greece on Friday, September 11, with a gap of 6,500 full time teachers in primary and secondary education. The number has doubled from the 2014-2015 school year where there was a shortfall of 3,000 teachers.
Interim Education Minister, Froso Kiaou, said on Thursday, that the Ministry had secured funding for 19,000 auxiliary teachers that can fill temporary gaps. The funding comes partially from the European Union but the delay in the disbursement of the money will impact schools around Greece that will have to operate without the teachers in the first weeks.
However the EU funding can only cover positions in mandatory subjects leaving major gaps in core positions.
Froso Kiaou said that the Ministry is trying to transfer 2,600 fixed-term teachers from schools that face less gaps to those facing the biggest problems in staffing. Another option is to recall back in Greece state teachers that work in Greek schools abroad.
Education Unions warned that several schools around Greece, in particular those located in remote areas, will not be able to open this year because of the lack of teachers. Some school authorities have even called for voluntary teachers in order to fill the gaps.