The Greek educational
system is mainly divided into three levels, namely primary, secondary
and tertiary, with an additional post-secondary level providing
vocational training. Primary education is divided into kindergarten
lasting one or two years, and primary school spanning six years (ages 6
to 12). Secondary education comprises two stages: Gymnasio (variously translated as Middle or Junior High School), a compulsory three-year school, after which students can attend Lykeio (an academically-oriented High School) or Vocational training. Higher Tertiary education is provided by Universities and Polytechnics, Technological Educational Institutes (T.E.I., 1983 ~ present) and Academies
which primarily cater for the military and the clergy. Undergraduate
courses typically last 4 years (5 in polytechnics and some technical/art
schools, and 6 in medical schools), postgraduate (MSc level) courses last from 1 to 2 years and doctorates (PhD level) from 3 to 6 years.
All schools, regardless of level, are overseen by the Ministry of
Education and Religious Affairs. The Ministry exercises centralised
control over state schools, by prescribing the curriculum, appointing
staff and controlling funding. Private schools also fall under the
mandate of the Ministry, which exercises supervisory control over them.
At a regional level, the supervisory role of the Ministry is exercised
through Regional Directorates of Primary and Secondary Education, and
Directorates of Primary and Secondary Education operate in every
Prefecture. Tertiary institutions are nominally autonomous, but the
Ministry is responsible for their funding, and the distribution of
students to undergraduate courses. Currently the Greek government only
recognises the degree programmes offered by the state-run universities
although there are several private universities and colleges offering
degree programmes that are validated and overseen by American, British
and other European universities. The Greek government is pressured to
recognise these overseas programmes.
All levels of education are catered for by both private and public
schools. State-run schools and universities do not charge tuition fees
and textbooks are provided free to all students. There are also a number
of private tutors schools, colleges and universities operating
alongside the state education and providing supplementary tuition. These
parallel schools (Greek: φροντιστήριο, frontistirio (singular))
provide foreign language tuition, supplementary lessons for weak
students as well as exam preparation courses for the competitive Panhellenic national examinations.
Most of the students typically attend such classes (and examinations)
at the tutors schools in the afternoon and evening in addition to their
normal schooling.
see also Education in ancient Greece$
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