Nikos Filis

The relations between the Ministry of Education and Church of Greece have have deteriorated sharply over the changes to the course of religious education in schools.

A circular issued on Thursday by Education Minister Nikos Filis which, he says, aims to target undeclared labor and safeguard teacher jobs at private schools, has been met with vehement opposition, as critics say it will essentially lead to a ban on extracurricular activities available at private schools.

The head of the Church of Greece, Archbishop Ieronymos, has lashed out against changes introduced by the Education Ministry to religious courses taught in schools, saying they were unacceptable and a danger to society.

Education Minister Nikos Filis has insisted that religion classes must change and be more like religious studies, rather than be taught on the basis of catechism.

The talks between Greek Finance Minister Euclid Tsakalotos and Minister for Economy George Stathakis with the representatives of the country’s lenders ended on Thursday with the agreement that in a month the solution package for over- in-depth banks, small and medium enterprise seizures and the new tax laws abounded by the Greek PM, will be ready.

A mother in Oreokastro claims that she voted against blocking refugee children from attending school. Proving that not everyone in town stands behind the two parents associations that have issued statements saying that they will not accept the migrant and refugee children living in the area in their schools, she posted on her Facebook page that the decision is not unanimous.

One day after the government's education minister criticized a parents association that threatened to block refugees and migrants from attending an elementary school in the town of Oraiokastro, the head of the northern town's parent association has resigned from his post.

The parents’ refusal of two primary schools in Oreokatro to accept refugee children into classes, raising concerns over the possible spread of infectious diseases due to lack of vaccination, has brought the issue of the absence on the part of the Greek government of an organised plan to integrate refugee children into the education system to the forefront.

Greece's left-wing government on Tuesday criticized a parents association which is threatening to block refugees and migrants from attending an elementary school in the north of the country.

The parents association of the school in the town of Oraiokastro said its members would occupy the building in protest if refugees from nearby camps were allowed to attend.

Minister of Education Nikos Filis argues that the decision taken from the Parents and Guardians Society of the 5th Primary School of Oreokastro in Thessaloniki, that they will occupy the school grounds if refugee children are inducted in the school, is not understandable.

The Greek school year got off to an inauspicious start Monday, with teachers' unions slamming Education Minister Nikos Filis over staff shortages and for undermining education standards.