Education, Religious Affairs and Sports Minister Sofia Zacharaki spoke about the ongoing inspections at the Grava school complex, which must be completed before around 4,000 pupils can return to their classrooms, in an interview on SKAI’s “Today” programme.
The minister said the municipality was directly responsible for overseeing school facilities, while the ministry was responsible for staffing and educational equipment. She said cooperation with local government was essential, as responsibility for school buildings had been transferred to municipalities years ago.
She described Grava as a “very run-down building” and referred to the complex’s energy-efficiency upgrade, funded by the “Attica 2021-2027” Regional Programme. Work has already begun and is being carried out while the schools remain open, with activity stepped up when classes are not in session, she said.
Sofia Zacharaki said the project was due to be completed in January 2028 and would include, among other things, external wall insulation and the replacement of window frames throughout the complex.
Student transfers and accommodation
Sofia Zacharaki said the results of student transfers and relocations would be announced today. She stressed that in recent years the ministry had sought to complete the process earlier, so students would not miss a semester and could arrange their accommodation in good time.
She highlighted the cost of accommodation, acknowledging that some families were facing serious financial difficulties. Funding for the student housing allowance has risen from around €41 million in 2019 to €90 million this year, she said, while at regional universities the allowance can reach €2,500 a year when students share accommodation.
The minister also referred to the renovation of existing student halls of residence and the construction of new ones, noting that Panteion University is to have its own hall of residence for the first time, while funding has also been approved for the Athens School of Fine Arts.
She concluded by setting a target of making 10,000 beds available to students over the next five years, saying: “I don’t want any child to miss out on their studies because of financial difficulties.”