Primary and secondary school teachers across Greece have announced work stoppages throughout January in opposition to new Education Ministry measures, which include mandatory teacher evaluations and overtime requirements.

The Greek Primary Teachers’ Federation (DOE) said work stoppages that began on January 8 would continue until January 30. According to the federation, teachers will hold daily, one-hour work stoppages at any point during the school day.

In its statement, DOE is calling on the government to repeal Law 4823/21 and a related ministerial decision that mandate the assessment of teachers and members of Special Educational and Support Staff in both primary and secondary education.

The federation also urged local Primary Education Teachers’ Associations to adopt supplementary decisions in support of the mobilizations.

DOE said its decision to escalate protest action comes in response to the introduction of teacher evaluations and requirements for educators to cover staffing gaps through mandatory overtime.

Secondary education teachers have announced similar actions, including rolling three-hour work stoppages scheduled to continue through the end of the month.

Law 4823/21 introduces a framework for assessing teacher performance, which the government says is aimed at improving the quality of public education. Teachers’ unions, however, argue that negative evaluations could impact career progression and increase workplace pressure.