A SHORT OVERVIEW OF EDUCATION IN GREECE

The Greek education system is governed by national laws and legislative acts (decrees, ministerial decisions). The general responsibility for education lies with the Ministry of Education and Religious Affairs. The administration of primary and secondary education is conducted hierarchically by: the Ministry of Education and Religious Affairs; the Regional Education Directorates; the Directorates of Education (Prefecture); and the School.

Education in Greece starts as early as first months of children?s life in daycare centers. Pre-primary education begins at the age of 4 with children?s enrollment in pre-primary schools. Attendance in those schools is compulsory for all 5 year old children. The next stage comprises of six years compulsory attendance of primary school which belongs to primary education sector. The three year attendance in lower secondary education constitutes the last period of compulsory education and is a prerequisite for enrolling and attending general or vocational upper secondary schools. The vast majority of students in Greece continue their studies to upper secondary. In parallel with day lower secondary operate evening schools in which attendance starts at the age of 14. The second tier of secondary education that lasts also for three years, constitutes the non-compulsory upper secondary education and comprises general and vocational secondary education. Parallel to day General and Vocational upper secondary schools operate evening schools. Their timetable allows pupils to be in regular full time attendance and acquire work experience at the same time.

Between secondary and higher education operates post-secondary non-tertiary education. It is provided by Vocational Training Institutes offering formal initial and further vocational education and training and Colleges, classified as belonging in the informal post-secondary education and training. Study or other certificates thatColleges provide are not academically equal to those granted within the framework of the Greek post-secondary system of formal education and higher education.

The new approach for education in Greece considers students as researchers, teachers as active agents of design and implementation and teaching as being differenciated based on learning needs of students, informed by learning goals not learning materials, established on cooperative learning and real-life experiences. Emphasis finally is also placed on technological and multiple materials? recourses.

Academic year for primary and secondary sectors in Greece for the school year 2013-2014 started on the 11^th of September 2013 and will end on the 13^th of June 2014. General school holidays include two weeks during Christmas and two weeks during Easter holidays. Summer holidays for children last for about 12 weeks, from June to early September. Throughout the year there are about seven national or religious single day holidays as well.

Higher education constitutes the last level of education system and comprises the University and Technological sectors. The University sector includes Universities, Technical Universities, and the School of Fine Arts. The Technological sector includes the Technological Education Institutions and the School of Pedagogical and Technological Education. Higher education institutions are fully self-administered legal entities of public law. Collective bodies that are established and act in compliance with special legislation administer each institution.
Finally, Lifelong Learning policy in Greece is part of a wider development plan aiming at giving emphasis to human knowledge, abilities and skills.

Sourse: Ministry of Education: www.minedu.gov.gr