School System
Almost 95% of Greek schools are public while most of the private schools are maintained by the private sector. The Greek school structure is:
- Primary education – nursery school (2 years), primary school (6 years)
- Secondary education – Gymnasium or middle school (3 years) and Lyceum or high school (3 years)
Primary education (compulsory) | |
Nursery school | Age 4-6 (compulsory for age 5-6 only) |
Primary School | Year 1 (ages 6-7) to Year 6 (age 11-12) |
Secondary education | |
Gymnasium (or middle school): general, musical, ecclesiastical, physical education, special | Year 1 (age 12-15) to year 3 (age 14-15) (compulsory education)
|
Lyceum (or high school): general, musical, ecclesiastical (self sufficient & autonomous) | Year 1 (age 15-16) to year 3 (age 17-18) (non-compulsory) |
Final examinations for entry at university level take place at the end of secondary education, after 13 years of schooling. | |
The curricula and timetable for primary and secondary education are drawn up and proposed to the ministry of education (YPEPTH) by the pedagogical institute (PI). Since 1998-1999 the curricula for primary and secondary education have been considered as part of a single philosophy which has led to the establishment of the “Uniform Curriculum Framework for Primary and Secondary Education”. Specifically curricula constitute
- clearly formulated objectives for each subject.
- the material to be taught at each level is proportional to the requirements of the timetable and the learner's abilities to assimilate. It is structured in individual units and subjects.
- indicative directions concerning the method and means of teaching for every unit or subject.
The curricula, especially those for the nine years of compulsory schooling, have internal coherence and a uniform development of their content. Textbooks for pupils and teachers are based on the curricula. Curricula are developed on six levels, one for each of the six years of primary school (further information on the cross thematic curriculum framework for compulsory education can be found here).