Education Minister Athina Michailidou is considering major changes to the teacher appointment system in secondary and technical education, in light of the planned abolition of the appointment list in 2027 and OELMEK’s strong concerns regarding inequality and understaffing in education. Appearing on the Alpha Enimerosi program, she announced the government’s intention to adapt the exams for eligible candidates so that they have a pedagogical focus and are administered every three years, following the model of government exams.

Ms. Michailidou noted that in fields such as Physical Education and English, there are more than 300 individuals who have passed the exams and are on the list of eligible candidates, whereas for humanities subjects, there are none due to the flawed examination system covering five subjects.

Permanent, contract, and substitute teachers can be awarded points as experienced teachers until the list of eligible candidates is fully abolished in 2035.

• Sports and Music Schools

Responding to recent criticism from parents and organized groups regarding the selection of students for Sports and Music Schools, he explained that these schools are attended by outstanding students in those specific fields. He acknowledged, however, that there are no established selection criteria and announced that criteria would be developed and implemented in the near future.

• Educational Psychologists

Ms. Michaelidou also acknowledged the need to recruit additional educational psychologists in schools, given that the current ratio is one specialist for every 1,800 children. She noted that discussions are already underway with the Ministry of Finance to fill an additional 60 positions over the next three years.

• Air Conditioning

Regarding the “hot” issue of installing air conditioners in schools, the Minister of Education said that the goal is to have them operational in all middle and high schools by next September, while responding to criticism by noting that three years ago there had been no discussion of the issue at all.

• Cameras

He also described the installation of cameras in schools as a successful measure to combat delinquency and announced an expansion to another 100 schools, specifically targeting those where incidents of violence have occurred.