Greek System
Greek Educational System
In general, teaching methods in Greece were based on three main categories:
- By 1985 we had the (AP) which means an Advanced Training Program
- From 1985 to 1999 we had the (EQS) which means “United curriculum Studies”
- In 2003, the Ministry of Education approved the “Interdisciplinary Unified Learning Framework”
Over the last decade, the Ministry of Education has introduced many innovations to achieve all students’ expectations. Many teachers attended seminars on how to integrate into their lessons. It is important to note that all of these seminars are not necessarily monitored. But it is clear that the more skilled the Greek teachers are, the more skills they acquire in order to respond to their educational role. Education starts from pre-school age with kindergartens and kindergartens.
In primary education, mainly in the classes of junior high school, the interdisciplinary teaching approach was added. In all three levels of education, primary school, junior high school, lyceum (General, Professional), teachers approach subjects through progressive educational processes, always under the directions of the Ministry of Education.
This can be done with the global approach to a subject in which many lessons can be involved, with an outdoor school visit, with a didactic approach in and outside school. It is a variety of active, discipline and interdisciplinary teaching approaches. Some of these are incorporated into the daily lesson and others are implemented during the implementation of certain projects, whether mandatory or not. So we succeed in:
- Increasing learners’ interest in learning
- Discovering knowledge on their own
- Expelling their critical thinking.
- Promote social skills (cooperation, respect, empathy, tolerance, equality, etc.).
- A pre-political atmosphere is created in school before students become adults.
- We help students learn how to learn.
And they work by following all the steps required by a project method: Work in groups Search Evaluate l Present the project. In addition, in high schools and lyceums health programs, culture, environmental, career education, etc. are being developed. Erasmus programs are also approved in accordance with EU rules.
Before the recession, the teacher who was leading one of these programs was facilitated by a 2 hour reduction in the working week. This does not happen today. During the 2014-2015 school year, 520 actions were adopted, among others: improving the school environment and shaping the school culture (creative and participatory shaping and use of school activities), creative afternoons for students. Musical workshops, theater, arts), summer activities in disadvantaged areas and so on. Meanwhile, 393 out-of-school actions related to supporting pupils belonging to vulnerable groups have begun. This action seeks to contribute to effective support (learning, emotional self-reliance and social self-promotion and talent cultivation, safe life development, etc.) of these students.
In addition, each school is encouraged to carry out multidisciplinary action under the Education Ministry’s requirements.
In each learning object there are three forms of books:
1) The curriculum containing school knowledge
2) Workbook containing exercises and activities
3) The teacher’s book that includes instructions on the content and teaching method.
In addition to the language lesson, there are also dictionaries, anthologies and so on.
The lessons taught at all levels of education are:
Religious, Language, Mathematics, History, Environmental Studies Geography, Nature of Science, Social Sciences, Natural Sciences, Art (Fine Arts, Music, Theatrical Arts), Gymnastic, English, French, German, Computers.
Pre school education is not compulsory and may last from 2 to 3 years. The Kinder-garden lasts 1 year (compulsory), elementary school lasts six years and the junior high school is three years of compulsory education. Lyceum lasts for three years and is optional but usually all children are attend it.
In primary school, students attend classes 30 hours a week, junior high school and lyceum 35 hours a week.
Eleni Papanikolaou (ΠΕ06)