Thousands of Greek Students and Teachers Protest Rising Costs and Education Funding
Students are calling for affordable public education and expressing solidarity with student movements in other European countries.
GREECE – Thousands of school pupils, university students and teachers demonstrated in Athens and other Greek cities on Wednesday (October 21, 2026), demanding greater investment in public education, improved school facilities, higher teachers’ salaries and measures to address the rising cost of living.
Police estimated that around 10,000 people participated in the Athens demonstrations. Similar rallies were held in Thessaloniki, Patras, Larissa and other cities.
The protests brought together students, parents, educators and public-sector workers. Some university students camped overnight in Syntagma Square, near Parliament, to draw attention to increasingly unaffordable accommodation.
“From Greece to France, we want public, free education,” demonstrators chanted, according to Reuters.
Greece’s primary school teachers’ federation, DOE, called a 24-hour strike. The secondary school teachers’ federation, OLME, and public-sector unions also staged work stoppages.
Educators demanded additional staff, smaller class sizes, safer school buildings and higher salaries.
According to Greek news agency ANA-MPA, education groups also called for public education spending to rise to 5 percent of gross domestic product (GDP).
Housing costs were another major concern. Students said rising rents and everyday expenses were placing increasing pressure on families trying to finance their education.
Education Minister Sofia Zacharaki said the government was listening to students’ demands and acknowledged the financial pressure caused by housing costs.
She said projects worth more than €733 million were underway to develop new student accommodation and upgrade educational facilities.
However, demonstrators argued that infrastructure investment alone would not resolve their concerns. They called for affordable public education, adequate teaching resources and improved working conditions for educators.
The Greek demonstrations took place amid a broader wave of student-led protests across Europe over living costs and the quality of public services.
Editor :Farros
Source : Reuters, Associated Press, Agence France-Presse (AFP), Anadolu Agency, ANA-MPA, Kathimerini, Al Jaze
