comenius project

1. THE STRUCTURE OF THE
EDUCATION SYSTEM IN
GREECE
“Building the cultural bridges of friendship”
2nd EPAL School, Serres Greece
COMENIUS PROJECT (2012-2013)

2. The structure of the education
system in Greece
Dimosthenis Georgitzikis

3. Greek education focused heavily on training the entire
person, which included education of the mind, body, and
imagination.
Education has always played a
significant role in ancient Greek life.

4.  Many people agree that formal education has its roots in
ancient Greece with Aristotle, Socrates and Hippocrates,
and then past to other civilizations. They laid down
foundations of subjects like philosophy, medicine and
mathematics that we use in modern times today.
 The idea of democracy and free thinking was developed
in Athens, thousands of years ago. Its philosophy has
continued to influence politics and the world today.

5.  In ancient Greece girls learned
skills like weaving from their
mothers. Only boys went to
school. They started at the age
of seven.
 The boys learned reading,
writing and arithmetic as well
as poetry and music. The
Greeks also believed that
physical education was very
important so boys did dancing
and athletics.
Ancient Greek Education

6. Greece’s Educational System has undergone
several effective changes throughout years.
Its last change was in 2000, when senior high
schools were split into general lyceums and
technological /professional institutions.

7. According to the Greek
Constitution, the
government is required
to offer free and
mandatory educational
services for all children
ages 6 to 15 years (in
other words, a
mandatory 9-year
educational system).
THE GREEK EDUCATIONAL SYSTEM

8. The structure
of the Greek
education
system
Primary
Education
Ages 3-12
Secondary
Education
Ages 12 -18
Higher
Education
Ages 18 -Upper

9. University
(18 – 24)
Lyceum
(15 – 18)
Gymnasium
(12 – 15 )
Primary school (6 – 12)
Kindergarten (4 – 6)
Toddlers (2.5 – 4 years old)
The structure of the Greek educational
system

10. Primary Education

11. INFANT/NURSERIES (AGE 2.5 YEARS OLD)
PRIVATE-STATE INSTITUTIONS
Nursery Schools: The
school life of the students,
however, can start from the age
of 2.5 years (pre-school
education) in private and public
institutions called nursery
classes (Paidikoi Stathmi) which
operate with the kindergartens
(Nipiagogeia).
PRE-SCHOOL EDUCATION

12. It lasts (1 or 2 years)
4 years old (optional )
5 years old (compulsory)
Children go to kindergarten
at the age of 5 years. The
curriculum in kindergarten
aims to prepare students for
the first grade and the years to
follow.

13. 6 – 11 years old (compulsory)
Primary school (Dimotiko)
Lasts for six years, and
children are admitted at the
age of 6.

14. Primary school
Subjects:
Reading, Writing, Arithmetics
As we get older, more subjects are
added:
– History
– Geography
– Science
– Arts
– Religious Education
– Physical Education
– English

15. Secondary
Education

16. Lower Secondary Schools (Gymnasium)
Lasts for three years,
and children are
admitted when they
finish Dimotiko.

17. Gymnasium (high school)
 Ages 12-15
 Compulsory education
 More subjects are added in the curriculum, like:
– Ancient Greek language & literature
– English
– A second foreign language (French or German)
– Chemistry
– Biology
– Informatics
– Technology

18. Then, three roads are in front of us:
At the age of 15, students must choose what type of Lyceum to
attend:
 One option is to stop going to school and start working
 A second option is to follow technical or vocational
education (Technical Lyceum/Vocational Lyceum)
 The third option is to follow general education Lyceum
(general, more academic)

19. The structure of the Greek
educational system
Secondary Education
Ages 12 - 18
Ages 12-15
GYMNASIUM
Compulsory
Education
Ages 15-18
General Lyceums
ENIAIA LYKEIA
(A,B,C class)
Ages 15-18
EPAL
Technical Educational Schools
(A,B,C class)
Optional
Education

20. There are two options:
 student may register at the Senior High School (Lyceum)
 They may register at the Vocational Senior High School
(ΕPA.L)
Junior High school - 3 years
Lyceum –general
(scientific subject)
3 years
Vocational (EPA.L)
(scientific and technological subject)
3 years

21. From 16 - 18 years old
( optional )
Lyceum (general)

22. Subjects which taught in the first year:
– Modern Greek language & literature
– Ancient Greek language & literature
– Maths
– Physics
– Biology
– Chemistry
– Informatics
– Technology
– Economics
– English
– RE (Religious Education) & PE (Physical Education)
Lyceum (general)

23.  Classical studies, which focus on:
– Ancient Greek language and literature
– Latin
– Philosophy
– History
 Science studies, which focus on
– Maths
– Physics
– Chemistry
– Biology
 Technological studies, which focus on
– Maths
– Physics
– Informatics
– Economics
In the 2nd & 3rd grade we choose a
direction among:

24. – Greek language & literature
– History
– Maths
– Physics
– Informatics
– English
– Biology
– Civics
– etc.
Subjects common for all the directions of the last
two grades include:

25. Technical Vocational Schools (EPAL)
Provide vocational training and education in 14 fields
for 42 different areas of specialisation.

26. The Greek Vocational School (EPAL) is the school
where the student approaches basic vocational
knowledge.
The studies last three
years and the courses
include: general
education courses,
technical courses and
laboratory exercises in
their respective areas.

27. Students in the first grade attend the courses of general
education (25 hours a week) and a few technical subjects
(9 hours a week), to gain knowledge of subjects in each
field.
2nd EPA.L of Serres

28. The second grade is structured in professional
fields. Students attend common general
education courses (17 hours a week) and courses
in the field they choose (18 hours a week).

29. • Economics and Management
• Health and Welfare
• Agricultural Production, Food and Environment
2nd EPA.L of Serres
Second grade sectors

30. The 3rd grade sectors includes:
 Food technology
 Agricultural Production,
Food and Environment
 Modern agriculture
management
 Economics and
Management
 Tourism
 Babies welfare
 Nursing

31.  Our curriculum covers about 35 hours per week
(from 8.15a.m. to 2.00p.m.)
 We have a lot of homework
 Our free time is limited
 The last two grades are demanding and
sometimes exhausting.
 As we approach the end of school the stress is
intensified due to the difficult entry exams for
the university….

32. Examinations to University
at the end of the third year: difficult exams

33. Final exams at the end of Year 3:
Internal (school level)
External (national level)

34. AGE OVER 18
UNIVERSITY 4 -5 YEARS
(MEDICAL STUDIES 6 YEARS)
POLYTECHNICS 5 YEARS
HIGHER TECHNOLOGICAL
ISTITUTIONS
4 YEARS
OPEN UNIVERSITY OVER 18

35. Students with special needs
(Blind, deaf, learning difficulties)
There are also schools for:

36. Kindergarten -Nursery schools 1-2 years
Lyceum (Senior High School)
and Vocational Senior High School 3 years
University
Post secondary
Vocational training
Postgraduate courses
Technological
Educational
Institutes
Elementary School -Primary school 6 years
Junior High school - 3 years

37. Total illiteracy in Greece=0.01%

38. Dimosthenis Georgitzikis
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