The school year for primary and secondary students starts today across Greece. Priests and politicians visit schools for the ceremonious first-day holy blessing event. Students will receive their books and meet their teachers. However, this school year starts with a shortage of teachers. According to elementary school teacher unions, there is a shortage of approximately 12,000 teachers. The Education Ministry announced that 4,900 substitute teachers have been hired in addition to a total of 127,033 teachers who started work on September 1. Another 10,000 substitute teachers will be hired by the end of the month and 1,000 will be on standby. Greek Police announced an integrated security program to be implemented in schools across the country. The program includes 24-hour surveillance by undercover law enforcement agents as well as regular patrols by the DIAS motorcycle squad. Traffic police will also be checking regularly on the safety of school buses. For the first time this year, a road safety program titled “I Travel Safely, I Win Life” will also be in effect at select schools across the country. The initiative aims to educate young students and their parents on traffic awareness and prevent accidents. Furthermore, the Health Ministry will intensify checks in school canteens for compliance with health regulations.
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