Private schools put under pressure

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.

Activities that run the risk of being scrapped include theater, sports, clubs and a host of other projects after normal school hours.

The move has been lambasted by the Association of Private Schools, which is expected to mount a legal challenge against it, saying that by placing a limit on teachers' weekly hours, as is stipulated in the circular, it gives state-run schools and other institutions offering extra activities an unfair advantage.

According to the circular, the number of working hours of teachers at private schools cannot exceed 23 or 24 hours a week,...