Federation of Secondary School Teachers

Schoolteachers have expressed concern over "divisive" remarks made by Education Minister Nikos Filis that morning prayers and religious activities should be held at the discretion of their teachers.

Educators say this could lead to divisions among them over socially and politically sensitive issues and could even spark disagreements between members of parent-teacher associations.

There was only minor disruption at almost 570 secondary schools that opened ahead of schedule on Wednesday especially so pupils could make up the class hours they lost as a result of sit-in protests in the autumn.