Schools: What changes with the first bell, 5,259 new permanent appointments and the International Baccalaureate in 11 public schools

The first bell of Greece’s new school year will ring on September 11, 2026, with the Education Ministry presenting a package of new appointments, upgraded facilities, revised curricula and the introduction of the International Baccalaureate in public schools.

The ministry said 5,259 permanent teachers received appointments in August, raising the total number of permanent appointments since 2019 to 53,912. The newly appointed teachers have already been placed in kindergartens, primary schools, middle schools and high schools. Substitute teachers hired in the first phase are due to begin work by the following Tuesday.

The first phase included 29,948 substitute appointments. Of those, 23,304 covered primary and secondary education teachers, while 6,786 concerned special educational and support staff. Education Minister Sofia Zacharaki said the second phase would be completed by the end of September, with total substitute hiring for the school year expected to reach 45,000.

According to ministry figures, Greece has 13,842 schools, more than 1.27 million students and 146,521 permanent teachers. The ministry highlighted that roughly one-third of those permanent teachers were hired during the past eight years.

Infrastructure projects will also shape the new school year. The Marietta Giannakou program has renovated 669 schools so far, including 238 ready to welcome students this year. Studies for another 500 schools are scheduled to begin in September. Public-private partnerships are supporting the construction of 33 new schools, 17 of them in Central Macedonia. The network of Public Onassis Schools is expanding with eight new schools in Aigaleo, Rhodes, Heraklion and Pyrgos.

Schools are also expected to receive 7,900 interactive boards during the 2026-27 year, bringing the total to 44,146. The ministry expects to deliver 6,479 defibrillators and new sports equipment to 4,550 schools, alongside a planned first-aid training program.