Thousands of students and teachers march across Greece for more education funding

Students, teachers, parents and workers rallied in Athens, Thessaloniki and Patras, demanding more money for public education, filled teaching posts and lower student housing costs.

Thousands of students, teachers, parents and workers demonstrated across Greece on Wednesday, demanding more funding for public education and measures to ease rising living and study costs, public broadcaster ERT reported.

About 10,000 people joined a march in Athens, while 2,000 to 2,500 rallied in Thessaloniki and more than 3,000 in Patras. Protesters called for thousands of teaching vacancies to be filled, permanent posts for substitute teachers, smaller classes and safer school buildings.

The Propylaea of the University of Athens

University students demanded lower rents, higher housing allowances, more dormitory places and the repeal of a law on student expulsions. Primary school teachers held a 24-hour strike, while secondary school teachers staged a three-hour work stoppage.

In Athens, protesters gathered at the Propylaea of the University of Athens and marched to Syntagma Square. The main march ended peacefully, but scuffles broke out in the nearby Omonia area, where police used stun grenades. Police detained 21 people during preventive checks.