Μake us preferred on Google Education, Religious Affairs and Sports Minister Sofia Zaharaki spoke earlier today, Tuesday, about the importance of speeding up school staffing procedures ahead of the new school year, so that newly appointed permanent and substitute teachers are in place before the “first bell.”
Speaking on OPEN television, Zaharaki said the first phase of hiring 30,000 substitute teachers will take place on September 1, 2026, noting that this year’s permanent appointments were already completed in August.
She said officials are working to move the timeline up, even if only by a few days, and that efforts are also underway to improve housing conditions for teachers. She stressed that it isn’t a matter of announcements or big statements, but administrative work that starts back in October of the previous year so hiring can move quickly once it’s time.
Zaharaki also pointed to cooperation between the Education Ministry and the Interior Ministry, the Defense Ministry, and the Ministry of Social Cohesion and Family, aimed at finding housing solutions, as seen in the municipalities of Agios Vasileios in Rethymno and Ithaca, as well as coordination with the Finance Ministry on rent reimbursements.
Two private universities to regain their licenses this week
On developments following the Council of State ruling on non-state universities, Zaharaki said the law governing private universities has full constitutional standing, and that two of the three rulings involved purely technical issues that are currently being resolved, including certain assurances related to building requirements.
She said that within the week, once the National Organization for the Certification of Qualifications and Vocational Guidance signs off, two universities, Keele and York, will have their licenses reinstated. She added that early next week, after a meeting of the Hellenic Authority for Higher Education and once the makeup of its committee is settled, a third university will also regain its license.
The minister added that the most significant part of the Council of State’s third ruling concerns the regulatory framework covering the quality and personal criteria reviewed by the Authority. That framework is currently being expanded, and the programs flagged by the court rulings will be reassessed against it. In practice, she said, this means the programs are being reevaluated, and students will be able to enroll as soon as it’s announced that the programs at all three universities have been reassessed.
Finally, on the progress of the National Dialogue on the new high school model, Zaharaki said the outcome can’t be prejudged, since beyond the sessions of the Independent National Committee, consultations with parents, students and teachers will begin in the coming period.
