Greek students and graduates staged demonstrations in Athens, Thessaloniki and several other cities on Thursday, November 5, demanding better public education, increased government funding and urgent action to address the rising cost of living.
According to Anadolu Agency, citing the Greek news outlet 902.gr, demonstrators gathered at Propylaea in central Athens, carrying banners calling for greater investment in public education, improved school infrastructure and free education.
The protests highlighted growing concerns over deteriorating conditions in public schools, staff shortages and the increasing financial burden of higher education on students and their families. Demonstrators called for measures to address shortages of teachers and improve educational facilities, while university students demanded relief from rising accommodation and study expenses.
During the demonstration, student associations displayed banners outside the Finance Ministry highlighting the financial pressures associated with education. Protesters also placed bags of construction rubble outside the parliament building to draw attention to the poor condition of school infrastructure.
The Panepistimio metro station in central Athens was temporarily closed during the demonstrations as students continued their march through the capital. The rally concluded at Propylaea, where participants announced plans to join commemorative events marking the 53rd anniversary of the 1973 Athens Polytechnic uprising.
The three-day commemorations are scheduled to begin on November 15, with a major rally planned for November 17.
The latest demonstrations follow a broader wave of education-related protests across Greece in October, when thousands of students, teachers and public-sector workers demanded increased education spending, better school facilities, improved teachers’ salaries and affordable student accommodation.
During an October 21 demonstration, approximately 10,000 people marched in Athens, while thousands more participated in rallies in Thessaloniki, Patras and other cities, according to reports by Reuters and Anadolu Agency.
The October protests also highlighted the shortage of teachers, overcrowded classrooms and inadequate student housing. University students warned that rising rents, transportation expenses and the cost of educational materials were making it increasingly difficult for young people to pursue higher education.
Related: Danish Students Say No to Education Funding Cuts
The continuing demonstrations reflect mounting pressure on Greece’s education system, with students demanding that the government prioritise accessible, adequately funded public education and ensure that financial difficulties do not become a barrier to learning.
