Tens of thousands of schoolchildren, students and teachers protested on Wednesday, 21 October, across Greece, for more funding for state education, less crowded classes and better pay. Seznam Zprávy reported, after Reuters. No budget change was announced.

eKathimerini writes that, in central Athens, a peaceful march to Parliament drew about 10,000 people, by the police estimate. There were also protests in Thessaloniki and other towns, with no violence reported. About 3,000 officers were deployed. 21 people were taken in for questioning; no arrests were immediately reported. Two central metro stations were briefly closed as a precaution.

Demands include filling school staff vacancies, maintained buildings and more freedom for university transfers. On Tuesday evening, dozens of tents were put up in Syntagma Square, near Parliament, to draw attention to housing costs. One banner read: “From Greece to France we are struggling for state-provided, free education.”

Primary teachers held a 24-hour strike. The secondary teachers’ federation called a three-hour stoppage. The civil-service union ADEDY did the same. Hospital doctors held a nationwide strike. About 500 pensioners gathered separately, in Kotzia Square, at City Hall.

Before the protests, Education Minister Sofia Zacharaki told ANT1 she hears the real demands, but that occupying schools is not a solution. She spoke of more than 733 million euros of student-housing works under way, and of 53,000 permanent teacher appointments since 2019. Those are the ministry’s figures, not a budget voted on Wednesday.

The Athens march was peaceful. Police had feared trouble after the protests in France; eKathimerini notes that no disorder was reported at this demonstration.

The protest is a mobilisation. It is not a new law and not an announced budget amendment.

Image: A. Savin, Hellenic Parliament, Athens, 28 June 2013, CC BY-SA 3.0, Wikimedia Commons; the building in 2013, not Wednesday march.

Sources consulted: Tens of thousands of students in Greece demonstrated for more money for education - Seznam Zpravy, 21 October 2026; Some 10,000 march peacefully in Athens over state education - eKathimerini, 21 October 2026.