The federation of secondary school teachers (OLME) has finally decided to go on a strike during the school-leaving exams which start on May 17, enet reports.
OLME does not welcome the government’s decision to increase teaching hours by two or more weekly without a raise, nor does it accept the reduction of substitute teachers as part of the government’s effort to cut on education costs.
This decision is part of the austerity package imposed by the Troika and is to be implemented in September.
The President of OLME, Nikos Papachristos, after a meeting with Education Minister, Konstantinos Arvanitopoulos, stated that there has been no substantial answer given for both sides failing to reach an agreement. However, Arvanitopoulos highlighted that the smooth conduct of the exams is not negotiable.
Known as the Panhellenics, the exams determine whether a student can enter university and what course they will take. Such exams are taken very seriously by society.
The government is open to the possibility of issuing civil mobilization orders to force teachers back to work if they go ahead with the strike, as this could be really harmful for the students..
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