Students, university students and teachers take to the streets in more than 50 cities – Their demands

Across the country, protests are taking place today, Wednesday (21/10), as the nationwide education mobilization reaches its peak with mass rallies in more than 50 cities.

University students, school pupils, primary school teachers and secondary school teachers are joining forces to demand increased funding for public education and measures to address the soaring cost of studying and living.

In Athens, the main education rally is scheduled for 12:00 noon at Propylaea. The Athens Students’ Coordinating Committee is calling for mass participation, putting forward demands for teacher and support staff vacancies to be filled, safe and modern school buildings, smaller class sizes and measures to tackle the rising cost of school life.

In Thessaloniki, a rally has been scheduled for 11:00 a.m., with the main call set for 11:30 at the Venizelos Statue, while in Patras student associations are calling for a demonstration at 10:30 a.m. in Georgiou Square. Teachers in the city have also arranged to gather at 11:00 a.m. at the Labour Centre.

Student associations in Crete are also stepping up their actions, with student housing at the forefront of their demands. Rallies are scheduled today in Heraklion at 10:00 a.m., in Chania at 12:00 noon and in Rethymno at 12:00 noon. Students in Crete are demanding, among other things, more free places in student halls of residence, greater rent support and measures to reduce the overall cost of studying.

Primary and secondary school teachers are also taking an active part in today’s mobilizations, with the DOE holding a 24-hour nationwide strike and OLME staging work stoppages which, following decisions by local ELME unions, have been turned into 24-hour strikes.

At the same time, ADEDY has also called a three-hour work stoppage for today, urging public-sector employees to take part in the rallies.

Yesterday’s precursor: tents set up in Syntagma Square

Yesterday’s protest in central Athens served as a precursor to today’s mass education mobilizations. Against the backdrop of the wave of protests sweeping across Europe, university students set up tents in Syntagma Square.

A large student rally and protest concert were held in the square, with the participation of student associations.

The students protested against the high cost of living and the lack of affordable student housing, as well as the conditions under which classes are being held.