Education in Greece

Most preschools, also known as pre-primary, are attached to and share buildings with a primary school. Preschool is compulsory and lasts 2 years, split into 1 year of Pre-kindergarten (Προνηπιαγωγείο) and 1 year of Kindergarten (Νηπιαγωγείο; Nipiagogeio).[14] Since the school year 2018–2019, children who would be four years of age by December 31 are required to begin attending preschool on September 11 of the same year.[lower-alpha 1] Applications for registration and enrolment are usually carried out annually during fifteen consecutive days in May. After this period expires, students are neither allowed to register nor enroll.

• 1st Year / Pre-Kindergarten (Προνηπιαγωγείο), age 4 to 5 years old (with some 3 year olds, about to turn 4, attending)^[C]
• 2nd Year / Kindergarten (Νηπιαγωγείο), age 5 to 6 (with some 4 year olds, about to turn 5, attending)

Primary school (Δημοτικό, Dimotiko) is compulsory for 6 years.[15][16][17]

In Year 1 and Year 2, pupils are not officially graded. Grading begins in Year 3, and written exams are introduced in Year 5. Automatic progression exists from the one year to the next year. The school year starts on September 11 and ends on June 15. The school day starts at 08.15 hour and finishes at 13.15 hour. It comprises six academic years of schooling name τάξεις (grades), numbered 1 through to 6. Enrollment to the next tier of compulsory education, the Gymnasium, is automatic. The classes a week for a subject vary from the teacher who teaches. It is awarded "Απολυτήριο Δημοτικού" (Apolytirio Dimotikou, primary school leaving certificate) which gives automatic admission to the lower secondary education (gymnasium). Αges are typical and can vary with the most common ages approximately:^[C]

Primary School National Curriculum

When applying for admission or enrolment, candidate students are to those who are duly qualified. It must have all the eligibility requirements which are set forth by the legally binding terms, directives of applicable laws, regulations. As the prerequisite health medical certificate of five consecutive years validity for the Ho.Re.Ca programmes of study (hotel, restaurant, catering, F&B), or allied healthcare programmes, or otherwise specialty required to have passed the relevant specialized examinations.[54][55][56]

View of the Ionian Academy, Corfu

The library of the Technical University of Crete, Chania

Higher education, also called tertiary, third stage, provided by Higher Educational Institutes (HEIs; Greek: Ανώτατα Εκπαιδευτικά Ιδρύματα; Α.E.I.) and consist of Universities and specialist Academies, which primarily cater to the military. They are mostly autonomous, but the government is responsible for their funding and the distribution of students to undergraduate programs. Higher Education Institutions in Greece are public universities[76] and can be attended without charge of a tuition fee, textbooks, and for the majority of students meals are also provided for free. About 25% of postgraduate programs have free tuition, while about 30% of students are eligible to attend programs tuition-free based on individual criteria.[8][77] Each academic year is 32 weeks study programme, divided into two semesters of 16 weeks each. The University Center of International Programmes of Studies (UCIPS) of the public International Hellenic University (IHU) offers postgraduate programmes that are fully taught in English.

According to the article 16 of the Greek constitution, private tertiary education is not allowed in Greece, and the government only recognizes the degree programmes offered by the public universities. In Greece, private colleges are Post-secondary Education Centres (Greek: Κέντρα Μεταλυκειακής Εκπαίδευσης; ΚΕ.Μ.Ε) at non-formal education level operate under the proper registration accredited by the Ministry of Education.[78][79][80] Usually, most private colleges have been authorised to offer foreign undergraduate and postgraduate programmes following franchise or validation agreements with collaborating universities established in other countries, primarily in the UK, leading to degrees awarded directly by those foreign universities.

Formal education system is the system of primary, secondary and higher (tertiary) education. The formal education private education schools in Greece are dimotiko (primary education), gymnasio (lower secondary), lykeio (upper secondary). The bodies of "non-typical education" term (φορείς μη τυπικής εκπαίδευσης), although they are fully or partially regulated by the state and lead to officially recognised qualifications, they are outside the formal education system, referred to as non-formal education. Some of the well-known include:[81][82]

• Centre of Continuing Education and Lifelong Learning (KEDIVIM; Greek: Κέντρο Επιμόρφωσης και Δια Βίου Μάθησης; Κ.Ε.ΔΙ.ΒΙ.Μ.)[83][84]
  Shortened to Centre of Lifelong Learning (LLC). According to premise standards has the level 1 (Kε.Δι.Βι.Μ.1) and 2 (Kε.Δι.Βι.Μ.2).
• Post-secondary Education Centre (Greek: Κέντρo Μεταλυκειακής Εκπαίδευσης; ΚΕ.Μ.Ε) to which the Private Colleges belong[85]
• Vocational Training Centre (KEK; Greek: Κέντρo Επαγγελματικής Κατάρτισης; Κ.Ε.Κ.). It is a Centre of Lifelong Learning (LLC).
• Post-lyceum Υear Apprenticeship Class which is a post-secondary programme exclusively for EPAL lyceum graduates only
• Institute of Vocational Training (IEK) specifically provides post-secondary adult vocational education and training (VET)
• Second Chance Adult School (SDE; Σχολείο Δεύτερης Ευκαιρίας; Σ.Δ.Ε.) which is a Gymnasium level equivalent.[86]
  For adults who do not have complete the lower secondary education. 2 years evening school, 25 hours/week.
  Education and Lifelong Learning programme of the Ministry of Education.
• Laboratory Centre (EK)

The National Qualification Framework (NQF) of Greece is officially named Hellenic Qualification Framework (HQF; Greek: Ελληνικό Πλαίσιο Προσόντων)[87] has an 8-level framework that unites non-formal and formal qualifications aligned to the appropriate levels from the National Organisation for the Certification of Qualifications and Vocational Guidance (EOPPEP; Greek: Εθνικός Οργανισμός Πιστοποίησης Προσόντων και Επαγγελματικού Προσανατολισμού; Ε.Ο.Π.Π.Ε.Π.) and for qualifications granted by Higher Education Institutes (HEIs) in according to the National Authority for Higher Education (NAHE; Greek: Εθνική Αρχή Ανώτατης Εκπαίδευσης; ΕΘ.Α.Α.Ε.). The HQF is linked to the European Qualifications Framework (EQF) and to the Qualifications Framework in the European Higher Education Area (QF-EHEA). The HQF is the Greek Register of Regulated Qualifications (Μητρώο Ρυθμιζόμενων Τίτλων) provides information for the accredited awarding bodies and the regulated qualifications of study (officially recognized) in Greece. The learning-outcomes-based qualification frameworks level systems of HQF, EQF, ISCED have reference levels classify the learning outcomes into reflection of study load (the amount of credit points), knowledge, skills, grant equal professional rights of level,[88] attainment covering formal and non-formal education recognized programmes which are designed within a national context and to make grades more comparable in an international context. See a list of HQF levels which is set out below, click on the "[show]":

This section is for defunct education schools due to either closure or replacement, in which it is not an exhaustive list.

Secondary Vocational Schools of Ministry of Education (Υ.ΠΑΙ.Θ.):

• Επαγγελματική Σχολή (ΕΠΑΣ; Vocational School; 2 years; Law 3475/2006; 2006–2013)[89]
  25 hours/week. Only subjects of specialization. Admitted students must have completed at least
  the first grade of the upper secondary education school (lyceum). Awarded Specialisation Diploma.
• Σχολικό Εργαστηριακό Κέντρο (ΣΕΚ; Schooled Vocational Training Centre; SEK; 3 years, 1986–2013)
• Τεχνική Επαγγελματική Σχολή (ΤΕΣ; Technical Vocational School; 2 years; Law 576/1977; 1977–1998)[90]
  70% subjects of specialization and 30% subjects of general education. Admitted students must have completed at least
  the final year of the lower secondary education school (gymnasium graduates or its equivalent). Awarded Specialisation Diploma.

Higher Education Institutes of Ministry of Education:

• Τεχνολογικό Εκπαιδευτικό Ίδρυμα (ΤΕΙ; Technological Educational Institute; 4 years, 3½ years from 1983 to 1995, 1983–2019)

Varied Schools:

• Σχολές Τουριστικής Εκπαίδευσης (ΣΤΕ; Schools of Tourism Education; Law 2387/2000; 2000–2003)
• Σχολές Τουριστικών Επαγγελμάτων (ΣΤΕ; Schools of Tourism Professions; Law 567/1937; 1937–2000)
• Κέντρα Ανωτέρας Τεχνικής Εκπαίδευσης (ΚΑΤΕ; Centers for Higher Technical Education; Law 652/1970; 1970–1977)
• Δημόσιες Τεχνικές Σχολές Υπομηχανικών (ΔΤΣΥ; Public Technical Schools of Assistant Engineers; 4 years, 1959-1966)
• Εργαστήρια Ελευθέρων Σπουδών (ΕΕΣ; Centres of Liberal Studies; Legislative Decree 9/9.10.1935, art. 5, par. 2-4, 1935–2012)
• Κέντρα Επαγγελματικής και Τεχνικής Εκπαίδευσης (ΚΕΤΕ; Centres of Vocational and Technical Education; 2 years secondary education)
• Οργανισμός Τουριστικής Εκπαίδευσης και Κατάρτισης (ΟΤΕΚ; Organization of Tourism Education and Training; Law 3105/2003; 2003–2013)
• Κέντρα Ανωτέρας Τεχνικής και Επαγγελματικής Εκπαίδευσης (ΚΑΤΕΕ; Centers for Higher Technical-Vocational Education; Law 576/1977; 1977–1983)

Lyceums of Ministry of Education:

• Αθλητικό Λύκειο (Athletic Lyceum; 3 years)
• Ενιαίο Λύκειο (Integrated Lyceum; 3 years, 1997–2006)
• Τεχνικό Λύκειο (Technical Lyceum; 3 years; Law 576/1977; 1977–1985)
• Επαγγελματικό Λύκειο (Vocational Lyceum; 3 years; Law 576/1977; 1977–1985)
• Γυμνάσιο (Gymnasium; integrated 3 years lower and 3 years upper secondary school)
• Τεχνικό Επαγγελματικό Εκπαιδευτήριο (ΤΕΕ; Technical Vocational Training Centre; 3 years; Law 2640/1998; 1998–2006)[91][92]
• Τεχνικό Επαγγελματικό Λύκειο (ΤΕΛ; Technical Vocational Lyceum; 3 years; Law 1566/30.09.1985, 1985–1998)
  awarded upper secondary leaving certificate titled "Πτυχίο Τεχνικού Επαγγελματικού Λυκείου", Technical Vocational Lyceum Ptychio (Level 4),
  i.e. Technical Vocational Lyceum Diploma was one (double) qualification has both an Apolytirio and a Specialisation Diploma, 34 hours/week,
  i.e. High School Diploma comprising core curriculum and tech-vocational curriculum subjects awarded one parchment with both curricula listed

A list of specialties of Technical Lyceum, Vocational Lyceum, and the Technical Vocational Lyceum,[93][94] is set out below, click on the "[show]":

• Ενιαίο Πολυκλαδικό Λύκειο (ΕΠΛ; Integrated Multilateral Lyceum; 3 years; Law 1566/1985; 1985–1997). Specialties is set out below, click on the "[show]":[95][96]

• Corruption in Greece in public sector has the first place of all EU countries, and is the most corrupt country in the European Union, a survey revealed in 2012.[97] The Greek public schools lack a human resource development, having huge corruption at all education levels according to the Global Corruption Barometer. According to the 2019 Corruption Perceptions Index reported by Transparency International, Greece is the 60th least corrupt country out of the 180 countries worldwide,[98][99][100][101] scored 48% corruption out of 100%,[102][103][104] of the perceived level of public level corruption on a scale of 0 (highly corrupt) to 100 (clear).
• Accounts of reports of the Greece National Transparency Authority (EAD; formerly Inspectors-Controllers Body for Public Administration; SEEDD)[105][106] show criminal offences, complaints, lawsuits and criminal prosecutions are against public school trainers, teachers and directors were found to commit violations; using profane, obscene, or ethnically offensive language; organized crime activities; copyright infringement; fraud; personal data theft; use of handphone and other unauthorised electronic and mobile devices during curriculum time; sexual abuse assault from students and teachers; corruption; forgery; extortion; illegal fees; embezzlement of school funds; all forms of bullying.
• The public Institute of Vocational Training (IEK) trainer employment fixed-term contracts are restricted to specifically candidates only, while all the rest applicant trainers remain in vein. One official of Ministry of Education, public IEK director and deputy director are entitled each semester to decide who will be hire for IEK contracting trainers, while the subject to fulfilling the trainer entry criteria omits, as well many of them receive their contracting appointment using, as a rule, unfair means.
• The public school teachers and majorly the public ΙΕΚs trainers are not selected for their competence, ethic, value, and teaching performance. Rather, they are identified by virtue of their educational attainment. This very fact has discouraged proactive improvement of education and subsequently has reduced the quality in general.
• About 95% of public IEKs lack laboratories, premises, libraries, prescribed textbooks which they will have to be purchased at student its own cost. The main findings include IEK students’ delayed arrival in class and whole days and hours chronic absenteeism over the years permitted freely from many trainers who do not keep record of the student absence. The public IEK graduates have very lower limited employment rate with highly per cent rejection within labour market due to their lower performance.
• Individual employers often offer an exploitative internship or apprenticeship term to a student with a consequence of labour law violations.
• Many IEK trainers during class hours distributed on the school premises their personal printed cards to advertise their profit purpose services or goods which are on offer.
• The Greek public schooling is undergoing a crisis with the Greek Ministry of Education (Υ.ΠΑΙ.Θ.) has consistently hides itself and refuses to answer officially once an official report and complaint has been submitted by officially students of a public school by using registered postal mail and/or via online with vetted student's authorized email account (has the same legal value with a registered postal mail) or student school authorizing user name and password serves as its electronic authorization, according harassment, disruptive behavior, threats, misconduct, criminal offenses, abuse, assault, fraud, malpractice, maladministration, discrimination, intimidation, that happen during the school's hours and breaks at school's premises performed either by other students or public IEK trainers or public school teachers and headteachers. This practice maily followed by the General Secretariat for Vocational Education and Training and Life-Long Learning (General Secretariat EEKDBM; Greek: Γενική Γραμματεία Επαγγελματικής Εκπαίδευσης, Κατάρτισης και Δια Βίου Μάθησης; Γενική Γραμματεία Ε.Ε.Κ.Δ.Β.Μ; formerly General Secretariat for Lifelong Learning; Γενική Γραμματεία Διά Βίου Μάθησης; Γ.Γ.Δ.Β.Μ.) of Greece Ministry of Education (Υ.ΠΑΙ.Θ.) and its Department of Educational Personnel Administration of Life-Long Learning (Τμήμα Διοίκησης Εκπαιδευτικού Προσωπικού Δια Βίου Μάθησης). There is no defence for this distinctly illegal act, vulgarity, corruption of the Ministry of Education.
• Greece was controversial for its legal disciplinary measure of school corporal punishment because was widely used and allowed in public schools, performed by school teachers under the Principal's express authority, until it was banned in 1998 at primary schools and in 2005 at secondary schools.[107][108] The physical punishment took place in front of all students consisted in the form of caning the buttocks of a student with a paddle or strap, caning on the palm of the hand with a wood stick, hitting a student's face.
• The former government agency of ΟΕΕΚ (Οργανισμός Επαγγελματικής Εκπαίδευσης και Κατάρτισης; English: Organisation for Vocational Education and Training; which replaced by Εθνικός Οργανισμός Πιστοποίησης Προσόντων και Επαγγελματικού Προσανατολισμού; ΕΟΠΠΕΠ; English: National Organisation for the Certification of Qualifications and Vocational Guidance; EOPPEP) had embezzled €6,000,000 of European Commission funds. Since 30 July 2010, an official investigation on the criminal conspiracy theft began from the EU Council of the EU Charter of Fundamental Rights and European Convention on Human Rights.[109][110][111]
• One out of the three public school students in Greece have received physical violation and abuse include verbal at 56.5 percent, followed by physical abuse at a rate of 30.5 percent and the threat of social exclusion at 27.8 percent. Greece ranks 4th place of student bullying amongst Europe countries according to the 1st European Anti-Bullying Network Conference, "Bullying and Cyberbullying Across Europe", Conference Proceedings, Athens, 2015 EAN (Ευρωπαϊκό Δίκτυο κατά του Σχολικού Εκφοβισμού).[112][113]
• Offences and corruption committed by highly rank or wealth persons holding public education school positions are rarely properly and transparently prosecuted.
• The tuition fee requirement from the most Greek Higher Education Institutes (HEIs) postgraduate programmes is contrary and entirely violating the Constitution of Greece, that all Greek citizens (and certain foreigners who live and work in the country) are entitled to free education on all levels at state educational institutions. The same violation act was done from the founding (law 2009/1992) of the Institutes of Vocational Training (IEKs) where all public IEK students were required to pay up to €367 statute fee for every semester up until the 2012–2013 academic year, that has been repealed since 2013–2014 academic year (article 22, law 4186/2013).[27][114][115][116][117][118][119]

• Latin honors
• Educational stage
• Academic grading in Greece
• Education in ancient Greece
• Open access to scholarly communication in Greece
• Κέντρο Εκπαιδευτικής Έρευνας, Το Ελληνικό Εκπαιδευτικό Σύστημα Συνοπτική εικόνα σε αριθμούς, Αθήνα, 2003. (ISBN 960-541-108-3) (accessed June 1, 2006)
• Education Research Centre - Ministry of Education and Religious Affairs, The Greek Education System. Facts and Figures (Supervision: Prof. V. Koulaidis. Compiled by C. Papakyriakopoulos, A. Patouna, A. Katsis & S. Georgiadou), Athens, 2003. (ISBN 960-541-106-7)

A.^ The Grade Point is on the form of numerical value or letter value applied to a student’s grade in a subject (μάθημα). The grade point average (GPA) is the average number of a student’s collective accumulated final grade points earned in subjects taken (successfully or not). The form of GPA[120] is measured on a scale of 0 to 20 scale, 0 to 10 scale, 0.0. to 4.0 scale, to letters grades.

In Greece, Single Award or Single Subject is the combined study in school of two or three assessment subjects (units) collectively that results in one subject achieves one grade overall from completing the subject. e.g. lyceum Maths Algebra and Manths Geometry results in Maths subject that is called Maths Single Award. The Double Award or Double Subject is the combined study in school of two or three assessment subjects collectively that results in two subject achieves two grade overall from completing the subjects. By award, it means any awarded qualification e.g. Certificate, Diploma.

B.^ A practicum term is a Co-operative Education Employment programme where the student is a trainee-in-practice employee, known as apprentice, in a work placement, having a contract CDD.

C.^ Typical ages refer to the ages that normally correspond to the age at entry and ending of a cycle of education. These ages relate to the theoretical duration of a cycle assuming full-time attendance and no repetition of a year. The assumption is made that, at least in the ordinary education system, a student can proceed through the educational programme in a standard number of years, which is referred to as the theoretical duration of the programme.

• Information on education in Greece, OECD - Contains indicators and information about Greece and how it compares to other OECD and non-OECD countries
• Diagram of Greek education system, OECD Diagram of Greek education system, OECD (in Greek) Using 2011 version of ISCED classification
• Education in Greece, webdossier by Education Worldwide, a portal of the German Education Server