Intense clashes broke out between demonstrators and police forces in central Athens during a nationwide educators’ protest held on Saturday, March 29, 2025. The protest, organized by educational unions, saw confrontations involving riot police and educators, with chemical agents reportedly used near the Maximos Mansion.
The march began at the Propylaea around 1:30 PM and proceeded toward the Maximos Mansion, where protesters demanded a meeting with Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis. Participants, including teachers, students, and pupils, gathered initially at the Propylaea before moving through the streets of Athens to voice their demands.
Educators highlighted several grievances, including inadequate pay that leaves many seeking second or third jobs to survive, insufficient health and safety measures in schools, and overcrowded classrooms. They criticized government promises for salary increases as insufficient and emphasized the urgent need for improved working conditions.
Key demands included immediate technical inspections for school safety, adequate staffing in all educational facilities, and the signing of an industry-wide collective labor agreement with at least a 20% wage increase along with the reinstatement of the 13th and 14th salaries. Both the Teaching Federation of Greece (DOE) and the Secondary Education Workers’ Federation (OLME) called for solidarity in defending public education and workers’ rights.
Protesters conveyed a clear message to the government: educators are determined to protect public education, their livelihoods, and the right of students and teachers to a quality learning environment.