One of the most important and challenging tasks facing the new government is the improvement of the education system
ducation, particularly tertiary education, is a contentious issue in Greece, where at present there are far too many school leavers who want to go to university than there are student places. As a result many choose to study abroad. Almost 30,000 Greeks are currently studying in the United Kingdom. Others go to France, the United States, Italy and Germany.
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The government wants to create an education system more closely tailored to the needs both of individual students and of a rapidly changing society. Minister of Education and Religious Affairs Marietta Giannakou says: “Education is a topic that needs to be addressed on a national level because, despite all the rhetoric about educational issues, it has been neglected in terms of both financing and institutional development.”
Education models in other European countries are being studied to see whether they could be adapted to the Greek situation, and EU funds are being used to improve facilities in schools and universities. Over the next two years, for example, some 80,000 computers will be provided.
“We have a lot to do,” says Ms Giannakou. “We want to see an education system that is more effective. First of all we have to create a field of political consensus and promote social alliances. Seeing the changes taking place in Finland or the dialogue in France, we conclude that education is the key to the future, and that it’s not only about financial investment.
“Due to the rapid changes in the technological and information society, we have to combine the classical education system with training and life-long vocational training.”
| Ideas developed in other countries may be applied in the Greek education system |
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The Minister refers to the need to combat ‘structural unemployment’, a European phenomenon, not just a Greek one. This means creating a workforce skilled in science and information technology for an increasingly competitive knowledge-based society and economy.
“We create new jobs at a very high level and sometimes we don’t have people to take them. But on the other hand we have a lot of overqualified people.”
Higher education in Greece was last reformed in 1982. Technological education was reformed recently in 2001, but had not previously been reformed since 1980.
Government plans to reform tertiary education are based on the principles of quality assurance, selection and choice. An official system of evaluation is being created to bring Greece in line with EU policy and to bolster the credibility and competitiveness of Greek universities.
An integrated system of life-long learning is being created through existing schemes, such as the Open University, and new Institutes of Lifelong Learning, Second Chance Schools and Centres for Adult Learning.
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“The educational system does not have to be wide open to whoever wants to get a university degree. We believe that higher education should be selective,” says Dimitrios Skiadas, who is in charge of developing education strategies within the EU Community Support Framework.
“We have plans to create an integrated system of vocational training. As soon as we have that, we will be able to provide an alternative option to all those interested in getting a different education. If they do not get into university, which is a possibility, then they will have an option.”
Innovative structures have been established such as Offices of Vocational Guidance in schools and universities, in order to help guide students and pupils into future careers. “We have to give the pupils and the students a map of their options,” says Mr Skiadas. “If they select something then we have to give them the qualifications.”
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