Just days before the first school bell of the new academic year, the Northern Dodecanese Prefectural Committee of SYRIZA-Progressive Alliance has accused the government of neglecting public education on the islands, pointing to serious staff shortages and calling for immediate appointments and meaningful incentives for teachers.
In a statement issued on 7 September 2026, the committee argues that, despite assurances from the Ministry of Education that preparations are progressing smoothly, dozens of classes risk beginning the new school year without the necessary teaching staff.
According to the statement, the practice of appointing substitute teachers late and relying on temporary solutions undermines both the stability and quality of the learning process from the very first day of school.
Citing nationwide figures, the committee claims that only 58% of the education system’s actual staffing needs have been met. It refers to a total of 51,261 declared vacancies and says that 21,353 teachers are still missing from schools across the country.
The statement places particular emphasis on substitute teachers who are often required, at the last minute, to relocate to Greece’s remote border islands. It notes that they face significant relocation and living expenses, a severe shortage of available housing and exceptionally high rents, exacerbated by pressure from the tourism market.
The Northern Dodecanese SYRIZA committee argues that responsibility for addressing the housing crisis cannot be left solely to municipalities and their limited financial and administrative capabilities. It calls for comprehensive national planning, as part of dedicated island policies, including financial assistance and housing support for teachers serving on the islands.
The committee also criticises the merging of classes and possible plans to suspend the operation of school units in regional areas. It maintains that such policies deepen inequality and further weaken public education, particularly in remote and border regions.
The statement also comments on remarks attributed to the Prime Minister at the Thessaloniki International Fair, where he said that “public education must be freed from the tight embrace of the Ministry of Education.” The committee interprets this approach as a potential withdrawal of state responsibility that could lead to underfunding, widening social inequalities and greater private-sector involvement in education.
The Northern Dodecanese Prefectural Committee of SYRIZA-Progressive Alliance is calling for:
- The immediate and timely filling of all teaching vacancies through permanent appointments.
- An end to class mergers and any plans to suspend the operation of schools in regional areas.
- Substantial financial and housing incentives, along with further income support, for teachers serving on the islands.
“Our children’s education is not negotiable. Lost education cannot be replaced. The policy of degradation will not be allowed to prevail,” the committee concludes.
