Formal education
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Since 2016, a programme of afternoon preparatory classes (Δομές Υποδοχής και Εκπαίδευσης Προσφύγων, ΔΥΕΠ) for school-age children aged 4 to 15 has been implemented in public schools neighbouring places where asylum seekers and refugees are accommodated (camps or urban areas). As for the academic year 2019-2020, 138 public schools around Greece are implementing this programme.
Moreover, the Ministry of Education and Religious Affairs has identified public schools among the country where children aged between 6 to 15 years may enroll in morning classes alongside Greek children. These selected schools are located in urban settings where various accommodation schemes are in effect.
The Institute of Educational Policy (ΙΕΠ), under the Ministry of Education and Religious Affairs, provides educational material for refugee education. In its portal, one can find guidelines for educators and supporting educational material. IEP also offers intercultural education material.
Enrolment in Greek schools
- “International Protections Applicant’s card” or “asylum seeker’s card” or valid residence permit;
- A health certificate or a vaccinations booklet;
- Health certificates are issued by any public health centre or clinic. Necessary medical examinations are free of charge.
- All children in Greece need to be vaccinated to attend school.
- Vaccination campaigns for refugee kids in Greece are free and run all year round.
- Children do not need to have a Social Security Number (AMKA) to get vaccinated.
- Proof of residence (in case that the asylum seeker’s card does not indicate it).
- The place of residence can be proved by a certification issued by the authority or agency that manages the accommodation (Asylum Service, NGO or other actor)
- People hosted by another person need to submit an official, written declaration from that person. This declaration must include their tax number and certification of their signature in a Citizen’s Centre (KEΠ).
Pre-school education
Children aged between 2.5 and 5 years can be enrolled in public daycare centres (ΒΡΕΦΟΝΗΠΙΑΚΟΣ ΣΤΑΘΜΟΣ) run by municipalities. Places in daycare centres in densely populated urban areas are limited and therefore are not guaranteed.
From the age of four, children can attend a kindergarten school (ΝΗΠΙΑΓΩΓΕΙΟ) which is compulsory after the age of five years. There are no special reception classes. Children attend a regular class alongside Greek children.
Enrolment takes place every year from June 1 to 15, but applications may also be accepted after those dates, if there are available places in the school.
Primary Education
Six-year-old children have to be enrolled in the A class of a primary school (ΔΗΜΟΤΙΚΟ). For older children, a relevant certificate or declaration stating the years and country they previously attended school has to be presented. Refugee children attend regular class. Specialised reception classes are offered through the zone of Educational Priorities Program to refugee children aged 6 to 15 who aren’t yet fluent in Greek.
Afternoon school classes are offered for children who live in camps and don’t speak Greek at all. These classes cover Greek language, English, maths, sports, arts and computers. Afternoon school classes are also offered in public schools around Greece.
Special primary schools
For students with a disability (serious hearing impairment or intellectual or learning impediments), the enrollment in Special Primary Schools (ΕΙΔΙΚΟ ΔΗΜΟΤΙΚΟ ΣΧΟΛΕΙΟ) is possible as long as the Centre for Diagnosis, Evaluation and Support for Persons with Special Needs (KE.Δ.Δ.Y.) issues the relevant recommendation and makes a referral.
Secondary Education
Enrollment in Lower Secondary Education (Gymnasium, ΓΥΜΝΑΣΙΟ) is compulsory and automatic for children who have graduated from Primary school in Greece.
Enrollment in Upper Secondary Education (ΓΕΝΙΚΟ ΛΥΚΕΙΟ, ΕΠΑΓΓΕΛΑΜΤΙΚΟ ΛΥΚΕΙΟ) is automatic for students who have already attended Gymnasium (ΓΥΜΝΑΣΙΟ), however it is not mandatory. Since 2019, the enrollment process and registration is implemented through an electronic platform. However, this platform is accessible only for parents registered with the Greek tax system (AΦM). Alternatively, parents can present themselves in schools and enroll their children.
Students above 15 years of age who are working in the mornings, can attend an Evening Gymnasium or Lyceum (ΕΣΠΕΡΙΝΟ).
Vocational training (at Upper Secondary Education Level)
Those who are over 16 years old and employed can attend a 4-year Evening Vocational High School (ΕΣΠΕΡΙΝΟ ΕΠΑΛ). Classes focus on technology and services. Graduates obtain a Vocational Lyceum Graduation Certificate.
Those who have already completed at least one year of Upper Secondary Education, aged 16 to 23, can attend a 2-year vocational school, the ΟΑΕΔ Apprenticeship School (ΕΠΑΣ). Students get technical training whilst they get paid.
For children who have attended secondary education in another country, the relevant certificate of attendance has to be presented. Otherwise, an examination before a committee has to be undertaken.
The Schools of Second Chance (ΣΔΕ)
The Second Chance Schools were established in Greece in 1997, under the Operational Programme “Education and Lifelong Learning” of the Ministry of Education and Religious Affairs and it is co-funded by the European Union (European Social Fund) and national funding.
These schools target people above 18 years, who have not completed their compulsory secondary education. The duration of study is two years, which includes afternoon classes.
The courses being taught are: Greek Language, Mathematics, English Language, Information Technology, Social Education, Environmental Education, Physical Sciences, Cultural – Aesthetic Education.
Students who graduate obtain a certificate equal to the one obtained from a Gymnasium. As per 2019, 58 Schools of Second Change are in operation in several locations around Greece.1
Tertiary Education
Children who graduate from secondary education in Greece, can participate in national examinations (ΠΑΝΕΛΛΗΝΙΕΣ) and have access to tertiary education under the same conditions as Greek nationals. There are no special provisions of law facilitating refugees and asylum seekers to access universities in Greece.
Recognition of diplomas issued in another country.
Recognised refugees and beneficiaries of subsidiary protection are treated in the same way as Greek nationals in relation to recognition of foreign diplomas, certificates and evidence of formal qualifications. Asylum seekers will need to fulfill additional requirements.
- The National Organisation for the Accreditation of Qualifications and Professional Orientation (ΕΟΠΠΕΠ)
- The Interdisciplinary Organisation for the Recognition of Academic Titles and of Information (ΔΟΑΤΑΠ)