Government to force teachers back to work ahead of exams
The government is on Monday to start issuing civil mobilization orders to secondary school teachers who have called a strike for May 17, the first day of university entrance examinations, to force them back to work and ensure the exams go ahead.
Prime Minister Antonis Samaras signed the civil mobilization order on Saturday.
Members of the teachers’ union OLME are to discuss whether to persist with their planned action. Those defying a civil mobilization order would face arrest. Teachers are reacting to a government decision to force them to work for two extra hours each week. Education Minister Constantinos Arvanitopoulos has said there is no question of the exams being put off, noting that the government is determined to “protect pupils’ and parents’ peace of mind.”
