A large gathering of organizations, parents, and teachers took place on Tuesday, December 9, 2025, at the Corfu Labor Center. This meeting was a direct response to the sudden announcement regarding the transformation of the 7th Junior High School and the 4th General Senior High School into experimental schools. Attendees condemned the decision by the Directorate of Secondary Education as sudden and “clandestine,” emphasizing that no prior information or consultation had been held with teachers, parent associations, or the local community.
Community Outcry Over Lack of Dialogue
The resolution adopted at the meeting highlights the severe repercussions of this decision for families in Garitsa and Kanoni. Under the new system, admission to experimental schools will no longer be based on proximity to the school, but rather through a lottery system. This change means that many children will be forced to leave their local schools and commute longer distances daily. Special concern has been raised regarding children from the “Embrace” facility, who may lose their familiar and supportive environment.
Impact on Students and Families
The conversion of these schools into experimental institutions will have significant consequences for the broader areas of Garitsa and Kanoni. Children residing in these densely populated areas will no longer be able to attend their neighborhood schools. A poignant example is the children from the “Embrace” child protection unit, who currently attend the 7th Junior High School. They may find themselves in unfamiliar and unexpected circumstances by attending a high school in the city, losing contact with their classmates and their established support network.
Admission to experimental schools will no longer be based on geographical distribution but exclusively through a lottery. This implies:
- Many local children will be compelled to travel long distances from their homes.
- Other city schools, such as the 1st and 5th, 3rd and 4th Junior High Schools, and the General Senior High Schools, will be significantly burdened as they will have to absorb all students not selected for the experimental schools. This will lead to overcrowded classrooms, with all the associated implications for the quality of education. Currently, general high schools in the city already operate with classes of 25, 26, and 27 students.
Consequences for Remaining Schools and Teachers
Serious repercussions are also anticipated for the city’s other schools, which will be tasked with accommodating all students not selected for the experimental schools. High schools are already operating with oversized classes, and the new situation portends an even greater strain on resources. Teachers are also expressing concern, fearing the loss of their permanent positions and potential relocation to other units. This is expected to destabilize the human resources within schools, leading to a loss of cohesion and pedagogical focus.
Demands for Reversal and Support
The assembled organizations emphatically state that they will not accept such a significant change without proper dialogue. They demand the immediate withdrawal of the proposal, strengthened infrastructure for existing school units, and the addressing of significant educational gaps that persist even just before the holidays.
Upcoming Actions and United Front
Further actions have been announced. On Monday, December 15, a press conference will be held to present a detailed analysis of the implications of converting the two schools into experimental institutions. On Tuesday, December 16, a protest will take place at the Directorate of Secondary Education of Corfu, and the resolution will also be submitted to the Municipal Council.
The resolution has been signed by ELME Corfu, the Union of Parents’ Associations of Central Corfu Municipality, the Cultural Association of Garitsa “The Grove,” the Parents’ Associations of the affected schools, and the Corfu Labor Center. Participants declare their determination to continue their struggle, emphasizing that public education and equal access for students cannot be subjected to opaque redesigns.
The resolution specifically states:
TO:
- Regional Directorate of Education
- Secondary Directorate of Education
- Primary Directorate of Education
- Secondary Education School Units
- Primary Education School Units
- Parents’ Associations
Resolution on the conversion of the 7th Junior High School and 4th General Senior High School into Experimental Schools
We were greatly surprised to learn of the proposal by the Directorate of Secondary Education of Corfu for the closure of the 4th General Senior High School of Corfu and the 7th Junior High School of Corfu, through their sudden conversion into Experimental Schools. This decision was made “clandestinely,” without any substantial information or consultation with either the teachers of the schools, the Parents’ Associations, or, of course, the local community that will be directly affected.
Such a serious development cannot and should not occur without dialogue, without transparency, and without considering the needs of parents, students, and teachers.
The organizations signing this text refuse to remain spectators to the devaluation of Public Education and the categorization of our schools, and we demand:
- The withdrawal of the proposal for the conversion of the 7th Junior High School and 4th General Senior High School into experimental schools.
- The strengthening of all schools in the prefecture with appropriate infrastructure to be modern and safe.
- The necessary recruitment of educational staff, as even just before Christmas, the vacancies throughout Corfu are very numerous.
Our next steps are to:
- Call a press conference for a detailed presentation of the implications of converting the 7th Junior High School and 4th General Senior High School into experimental schools, on Monday, December 15, at 11 a.m.
- Organize a protest at the Directorate of Secondary Education of Corfu on Tuesday, December 16, at 2 p.m.
- Submit a resolution to the Municipal Council of the Municipality of Central Corfu and Diapontia Islands.
The present resolution is signed by the following organizations:
ELME Corfu
Union of Parents’ Associations of Central Corfu Municipality
Cultural Association of Garitsa “The Grove”
Parents’ Association of the 7th Junior High School
Parents’ Association of the 5th Junior High School
Parents’ Association of the 4th General Senior High School
Parents’ Association of the 6th Primary School
Parents’ Association of the 14th Primary School
Corfu Labor Center
Source: alfavita.gr
