Members of the Primary Education Teachers' Association of Kavala met with the region's primary education director, Athanasia Gaitanidou, on Tuesday, 4 August, to formally protest planned downgrades affecting eight elementary schools in the wider area, including Nikisiani in the Pangaio district and schools in Gravouna, Erateino, Nea Karya and Keramoti in the Nestos area. The changes, based on falling student enrollment numbers, would reduce several schools from six-teacher to five-teacher status. Parents and teachers argue the rules governing school staffing levels are outdated and fail to account for the needs of small rural communities.