Elena Kountoura, a Greek MEP from The Left group, has submitted a written parliamentary question to the European Commission, raising concerns over the incomplete implementation of EU co-funded educational programmes in Greece and alleged violations of the rights of schoolchildren with disabilities. The question, filed on 7 April 2026, targets the use of European Social Fund Plus (ESF+) 2021-2027 resources and highlights delays, staff shortages, and a lack of personalised support for pupils with disabilities, which she argues may breach the EU Charter of Fundamental Rights and the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities.
The question contains concrete allegations: the co-financed programme 'Remedial Teaching in Secondary Education, 2025-2026' started with a three-month delay, resulting in lost remedial teaching hours, and parallel support for disabled pupils is often not provided as planned. Kountoura points to a statistical bulletin indicating that teachers are stretched across large classes without full coverage or individualised support, shifting the burden onto families.
Kountoura asks the Commission three specific questions: whether it is aware of these systematic problems; how it assesses Greece's compliance with EU law, financial rules, and fundamental rights; and what measures it can take to ensure the full application of disabled pupils' rights. The question signals a push for stronger Commission oversight and potential corrective action under shared management rules, where national authorities bear primary responsibility for programme implementation.
The Commission is expected to reply within approximately six weeks. Its answer will indicate whether it views the delays as a compliance issue warranting financial corrections or other enforcement measures, or as a matter for Greek authorities to resolve. The outcome will affect Greek pupils with disabilities, their families, national education authorities, and the European Commission's supervisory role over ESF+ spending.