Greek Schools Face Closures and Class Mergers as New School Year Begins

The new school year in Greece is marked by both technological advancements and a wave of school closures and class mergers. The Ministry of Education announced a significant digital transformation, including online tutoring, interactive digital boards, and virtual classrooms. However, hundreds of schools, primarily kindergartens and elementary schools in rural areas, will remain closed due to low enrollment. While some schools are deemed ‘ghost schools’ that never functioned, others had operational history, raising concerns about access to education in remote regions. Additionally, widespread class mergers are being implemented, leading to increased class sizes and concerns about the quality of education. Teachers and parents are protesting these measures, arguing that they will strain resources and negatively impact students’ learning experiences. The government’s focus on digitalization and cost-cutting measures has sparked widespread debate about the future of public education in Greece.