Newsroom
A strike by teachers in public education will take place on Thursday, 18 December 2025, affecting the start of the school day for many students. The action involves primary school teachers and general secondary school teachers and will run from 7:30 a.m. until approximately 9:00–9:05 a.m., depending on the level of education. The Ministry of Education, Sport and Youth has issued guidance to help parents and guardians plan ahead, particularly in relation to school transport, attendance, and childcare arrangements.
One of the main issues for families will be morning transport. Morning bus routes will not operate for students attending public kindergartens, primary schools, gymnasiums, and lyceums. As a result, parents and guardians will need to make their own arrangements to take children to school later than usual. Children in kindergartens and primary schools should be brought to school at 9:05 a.m., while students in gymnasiums and lyceums should arrive at 9:00 a.m. The Ministry has stressed that these arrangements are being made with student safety in mind.
An exception applies to special schools. Morning bus routes to special schools will operate, with students being transported to their schools at 9:05 a.m. For children who are usually transported by taxi to special units in primary or secondary education, parents are advised to contact the taxi driver directly to adjust the pickup time from 7:30 a.m. to 9:05 a.m.
Technical and vocational education schools will not be affected in the same way. These schools will operate normally on Thursday, and morning bus routes to technical and vocational schools will run as usual, transporting students before 7:30 a.m. Attendance will be taken, specialty subjects will be taught as scheduled, and students are expected to attend school as on any regular day. In cases where general education lessons during the first two periods are taught by teachers participating in the work stoppage, students will be creatively occupied according to each school’s programme.
Parents can expect fewer changes later in the day, as all midday return bus routes will operate normally for students at all levels of education. This means that picking up children after school should proceed as usual, although parents are encouraged to ensure that students are ready on time.
Attendance is another area of concern, particularly for secondary school students. In general secondary education, if students do not attend school for the entire day, including all-day schools of special interest, absences will be recorded but will not be counted. This measure is intended to avoid penalising students who are unable to attend due to the disruption caused by the work stoppage.
The Ministry has indicated that all teachers are expected to return to their duties immediately after the end of the strike, and schools will continue to operate for the remainder of the day. Parents are encouraged to stay in contact with their child’s school, plan for later morning drop-offs where necessary, and make alternative arrangements where transport or childcare may be affected.
