OLME launched a five–days rolling strike as of September 16th following the decision of the teachers’ general assemblies. At the end of each 5 days strike the teachers’ general assemblies will take stock of the situation and then decide on the course of the strike action.
The situation in public schools is dramatic: There are 16,000 fewer teachers in secondary education meaning 20% reduction since June 2013.
- 102 Vocational Education Schools are closing down
- 2,500 Vocational Education Teachers are being suspended-just a step before dismissals.
- In 2009 there was 33% reduction of spending on education which is expected to reach 47% in 2016.
- There is a compulsory transfer of 5,000 teachers to primary education and administration posts.
The government has passed a new law on education without a dialogue establishing a harsh, examination-centered system in all forms/grades of upper secondary education forcing students to seek private tuition outside school and leading to school dropouts.