Greek Education System

Education is compulsory in Greece for all children  aged 6 to 15 years of age. School life though, can start a little earlier for children; at the age of 2.5 years Greek parents can assist their babies to attend pre-school education in private or public institutions ("Vrefonipiakoi Paidikoi Stathmi" -creches).     

Primary and Secondary school follow at the age of 6 for young Greeks. Attendance in Primary school (Dimotiko) lasts for 6 years, during which children also have the oppurtunity to attend all-day primary schools with extended timetable and enriched Curriculum. Attendance in Lower Secondary (Gymnasio) lasts for 3 years, after which begins Post-compulsory education. The latter, after a reform in 1997, consists of Eniaia Lykeia (Unified Upper Secondary Schools) and/or Technical Vocational Educational Schools (TEE). Duration of studies in Eniaia Lykeia is 3 years when studies in TEE can last two or three years (a’ or b’ level accordingly).Students with special educational needs are admitted to special Nipagogeia(kindergartens), Dimotika, Gymnasia, Lykeia and upper secondary classes. Musical, Ecclesiastical and Physical Education Gymnasia and Lykeia are also in operation. 

 Vocational Training Institutes (IEK), providing formal but unclassified level of education, are also included in the Post-compulsory Secondary Education. These Institutes are not classified as an educational level, as they accept both Gymnasio (lower secondary school) and Lykeio (upper secondary school) graduates according to the relevant specializations they provide.     

Public Institutes of higher education are either Universities or Technological Education Institutes (TEI) where students are admitted according to their performance at national level examinations; these take place at the second and third year of Lykeio. Moreover, Greeks over 22 years of age can follow studies in the Hellenic Open University, where they’re admitted by drawing lots.