Educational system in Greece

Key features of the education system

Article 16 of the Greek Constitution states that education is the main mission of the State and all Greeks are entitled to free education at all levels at State Educational Institutions.

One of the main characteristics of the Greek education system is that it is fairly centralised. The Ministry of Education, Research and Religious Affairs exercises supervisory control over all types of primary and secondary education schools by defining the content of the curricula, recruiting and appointing staff and controlling funding.

State-run schools and universities do not charge tuition fees and textbooks are provided free to all students, although, from 2011 onwards, there has been a noticeable shortage of new textbooks.

Tertiary institutions are nominally autonomous; however, the Ministry is responsible for their funding and the distribution of students to undergraduate courses.

Educational officials of the country, whatever level of education they are appointed at, primary or secondary education, are graduates of Higher Education of a University or the Technological sector, holding at least a first cycle degree.

Stages of the education system

Compulsory education in Greece lasts for ten years and extends from the age of 5 to the age of 15 years.

In particular, the Greek educational system is mainly divided into three levels: primary, secondary and tertiary, with an additional post-secondary level providing vocational training.

Pre-primary education in Greece begins at the age of four (4) when children are allowed to enroll in nursery school (Nipiagogeia).

Attendance is compulsory for all five (5) year-old children.

Regarding early childhood education care, Child and Infant Centres (Vrefonipiakoi stathmoi) and Child Centres (Paidikoi Stathmoi) operate under the remit of the Municipal Authorities.

Primary Education is the next stage and comprises of the compulsory six-year attendance in Primary Schools (Dimotika Scholeia).

It concerns children in the age range of 6-12 years.

Since school year 2016-2017, a Single Type of All-Day Primary School is established with a new revised curriculum and daily timetable.

Secondary Education includes two cycles: the first one is compulsory and corresponds to Lower Secondary School (Gymnasio) and the second one is the optional Upper Secondary School (Geniko or Epaggelmatiko Lykeio).

Gymnasio (Gymnasium) is a three-year school, which provides general education.

It covers ages 12-15 and it is a mandatory for enrolling and attending General or Vocational Upper Secondary Schools.

In parallel with day Gymnasium, Evening Lower Secondary Education School (Esperino Gymnasio) operates, in which attendance starts at the age of 14.

Upper Secondary Education (Lykeio) is the second tier of secondary education and lasts also for 3 years.

Pupils enroll at the age of 15. It is worth noting again that it is non-compulsory and it is offered in two different types:

general secondary education – offered in General Lyceum (Geniko Lykeio); it involves a three-year programme, which includes both common core subjects and optional subjects of specialisation
vocational secondary education – offered in Vocational Lyceum ( Epaggelmatiko Lykeio). The latter offers two cycles of studies, which belong to the formal educational system: a. the secondary cycle and b. the optional post-secondary cycle of studies, the so-called “apprenticeship class”, a scheme which involves combined school and workplace courses.

Parallel to day schools, Evening General Lyceums (Esperina Genika Lykeia ) and Evening Vocational Lyceums (Esperina Epaggelmatika Lykeia) also operate. These involve a four-year attendance and the minimum age for enrolment for the latter is the age of 16.

Higher education constitutes the last level of the formal education system and comprises of the University (Panepistimio) and Technological sectors.

The University sector includes Universities, Polytechnics and the School of Fine Arts.

The Technological sector includes the Technological Education Institutions (Technologika Ekpaideftika Idrymat - TEIs) and the Higher School of Pedagogical and Technological Education (ASPETE).

Undergraduate courses typically last for 4 years, while postgraduate courses last from 1 to 2 years and doctorates from 3 to 6 years.

Special education

Special Education and Training (EAE) is the set of educational services provided to students with disabilities and identified special educational needs or students with special educational needs.

The state is committed to continuously enforce and uphold the compulsory nature of special education and training as an integral part of compulsory and free public education and to ensure that public special education and training is free for all disabled people despite their age or educational level.

In order to provide full support to people with special educational needs, the Ministry of Education co-operates with the Ministry of National Health and Social Welfare, the Ministry of Labour, the General Administration of Youth, the Prefecture Committees for Adult Education, the Local Administration organisations and the Church.

According to Law, pupils with SEN (special education needs) mainly receive education in mainstream schools. Hence, the inclusion of those pupils operates in two different ways:

1. Inclusion of students with SEN in mainstream schools at primary, secondary or vocational educational level

Diagnostic Assessment and Support Centres suggest that Ιnclusion in mainstream schools is preferred when:

pupils with SEN do not face very severe difficulties and they can follow the curriculum of the school providing they receive assistance from a special education teacher according to a set of pre-arranged visits; or
pupils live in an area where there is not a special education setting (special school or inclusion settings). Under this circumstance a special education teacher is always in the school.

2. Inclusive classes in mainstream schools at primary, secondary or vocational educational level

The Diagnostic Assessment and Support Centres suggest that pupils with SEN attend inclusive classes in primary, secondary, vocational education when:

pupils have SEN and they need a systematic support for a few hours per day or per week from a special education teacher in order to follow the curriculum of their school; or
there are more than three pupils with SEN in a school.

Special education and training system

Special schools and programmes are established at different educational levels, in order to provide the appropriate education and vocational training to people with SEN.

Recently, Special education school units have been established, such as:

1. Special Primary schools.

2. Special Secondary Schools and Upper Secondary Schools.

3. Vocational Upper Secondary Schools.

4. Special vocational training centres (EEEEK).

Development of inclusion

The special education legislation clearly involves the integration of all pupils with special educational needs into mainstream schools.

The establishment of local Diagnostic Assessment and Support Centres, the provision of Individual Education Plans (IEPs), the establishment of integration classrooms and peripatetic services are part of the mainstream policy.

According to Law 2817/2000, special education is provided from 4 to 22 years old, mainly in mainstream schools.

The first choice of placement for pupils with special educational needs, according to this law, is in regular classes with support from an SEN support teacher from the Diagnostic Assessment and Support Centres.

Pupils can also be placed in integration classes, but they receive most of their education in the mainstream class. The components of this process consist of the students’ IEP, the appropriate services, and counselling and means that help and support successful integration of the student. Integration and inclusive education of people with SEN is completed through vocational training programmes, which are drawn up according to pupils’ abilities and needs and aim at their vocational rehabilitation.

Lifelong Learning

Lifelong Learning policy in Greece is part of a wider development plan aiming at giving emphasis to human knowledge, abilities and skills. The General Secretariat for Lifelong Learning is responsible for the development of national policy concerning lifelong learning. Within the framework of non-formal education, which can lead to attainment of certifications recognised at national level, structures providing lifelong learning services are as follows:

Vocational Training Schools (Scholes Epaggelmatikis Katartisis -SEK) which provide non-formal initial vocational training of three-year duration to graduates of compulsory formal education; nevertheless, SEK are gradually being abolished and they will cease to exist at 31-08-2019;
Vocational Training Institutes (Instituto Epaggelmatikis Katartisis), which offer non-formal initial vocational training to graduates of formal non-compulsory secondary education, as well as to SEK graduates;
Lifelong learning Centers (Kentra Dia Viou Mathisis), which provide continuing vocational training, general adult education, vocational guidance and lifelong counseling;
Colleges (Kollegia), which provide non-formal education to graduates of formal non-compulsory secondary education.

Parallel school

There are also a number of private tutorial schools, colleges and universities operating alongside the state education and providing supplementary tuition. These parallel schools (Greek: φροντιστήριο, frontistirio) provide foreign language tuition, supplementary lessons for weak students as well as exam preparation courses for the competitive Panhellenic national examinations. Most of the students typically attend such classes (and examinations) at the tutors schools in the afternoon and evening in addition to their normal schooling.

School elections

From the fifth year of the primary school to the third year of Lyceum elections are held.

Elections in primary schools

They are held every September. All the students are obliged to elect 2 presidiums for each class who "rule" until January when the other one succeeds the first. The role of these presidiums is to primp the classrooms for the national holidays and for Christmas. Furthermore, they transfer the complaints of each student to the school authorities.

Elections in Gymnasiums and Lyceums

They are held every September and are divided into 2 parts. In the 1st part every student elects the Presidium of his/her class.The Class Presidium has 5 members.

In the second part students elect a School Council which has 15 members and represents the students. Its role is extremely important in every school because the School Council takes significant decisions for all the students. The School Council has 15 members.