Europe in chaos as another country declares two days of protests while France burns | World | News– www.express.co.uk

Thousands of Greek students took to the streets on Wednesday (October 21) to protest the high cost of living, citing grievances similar to those fueling recent demonstrations in France and across Europe. Police estimated at least 5,000 people attended the Athens protest. Similar protests also occurred in other major Greek cities, including Thessaloniki. Wednesday marks the second of two days of demonstrations, as teachers strike, students organise marches and education groups demand better funding, safer buildings and improved school conditions.

The protests bring together groups with different demands, from better-resourced public schools to lower costs for university students. Secondary school pupils and teachers are protesting poor infrastructure, a shortage of staff and insufficient public spending on education.

Greek primary education teachers (DOE) are striking for 24 hours on Wednesday, while secondary school teachers (OLME) are staging a work stoppage from 11am to 2pm. The educators are protesting increased class sizes and heavy workload demands, while calling for permanent staff appointments, upgraded facilities and better school funding. OLME said there is a nationwide shortage of 15,000 secondary school teachers.

“In Greece, like in France, we are demanding public, free education,” said Katia Koubousidou, head of a student union at Aristotle University of Thessaloniki. “This will not be a one-off protest. We have a plan to continue our demonstrations.”