The Ministry of Education is making special arrangements in anticipation of the 24-hour strike by School Board staff and hourly-paid government employees on Thursday, September 17.
The Ministry urges parents and guardians of children attending special education schools, as well as students who rely on school aides or attendants, to keep them at home, since, as it points out, the required support, supervision, and care cannot be guaranteed. Absences for this reason will not be counted.
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The announcement in its entirety
The Ministry of Education, Sports, and Youth informs parents and guardians that the labor unions OEKDY SEK, PASYEK, PEO, and DEE, KDOKO, DEOK have announced a 24-hour strike by School Board staff and hourly-paid government employees for Thursday, September 17, 2026.
According to the official announcement by the labor unions, the strike will be a general strike and will include secretaries, cleaners and drivers at special education schools, kindergarten teaching assistants, as well as school aides and escorts in kindergartens, elementary schools, special education schools, middle schools, high schools, and technical schools, which will substantially affect the staffing and operation of these schools.
Given these circumstances, the Ministry notes that, on that specific day, it will not be possible to ensure the provision of the expected individualized support, supervision, care, and assistance to children who are served by school aides or escorts.
With the safety, protection, and well-being of the children in mind, the Ministry calls on the parents/guardians of children attending Special Education Schools, as well as those of other children whose needs are supported by a school aide or escort, to keep them at home on that specific day. Please note that schools will not count absences occurring on the specific day when students are absent.
The Ministry fully understands the disruption that the above arrangement may cause to families and emphasizes that it applies exclusively to the day of the strike. However, under these specific circumstances, the priority is to ensure the safety and well-being of children and to avoid any situation in which they cannot be provided with the necessary care and support during their time at school.
School administrators are asked to immediately notify the parents and guardians of all affected children. They are also asked to ensure that schools are opened and closed on that specific day.
The Ministry of Education, Sports, and Youth emphasizes that the safety of children is an absolute priority.
