Right to Education

Right to Education.

Education in Greece is public, free, and compulsory from Kindergarten to High School. There are also private schools for anyone who chooses it. A child must attend Kindergarten (ages 4 to 6), which lasts 2 years and then be enrolled in Primary School for 6 years (ages 6 to 12). Junior high school lasts 3 years. In order to complete the class successfully, you must take an exam at school. After the completion of Junior High School, students may continue their studies at a General High School or opt for technical or vocational education. Supportive teaching is provided to students with learning difficulties. Students may repeat their studies in the same class If they fail to pass their final exams. There are public special schools for children with disabilities who cannot attend general school (even with personal tutor support).

Why is it useful in your everyday life?

Who can go to school?

According to the Greek law, all the children are obliged to go to the school and attend elementary education (until Junior high school), even if the parents do not have any legal documentation.
As an adult, you have the right to continue and complete the elementary education to Second chance Adult Schools or Evening General Junior High Schools. You can go to the University as well! You should speak Greek at Level C1 and have completed 12 classes of school (High School Diploma). You may need to take an exam.

How do I choose a school?

In public schools, the choice is made based on your home address and the children go to the school closest to their home. You can change school during the school year, if you change your home address, by informing the school management (and the principal).

What kind of documents do I need in order to register my child to school?

When the child is an applicant for international protection, the law provides the same requirements as for the Greek citizens. If there is any difficulty to find all the necessary documents, the school management facilitates the procedure for the registration of asylum-seeking children.

The necessary documents are:

International Protection Applicant Card or other official document
Vaccine booklet with examination by a Pediatrician

Problems you may face

If the school management denies registering your child to the school?

According to the law, nobody can deny school registration to your child. Even if the school does not have free space because it is located in a crowded area, it is obliged to follow internal procedures and inform you in which school you can register your child.

Possible solutions and answers

Which is the procedure that the principal of the school follows?

If the principal suggests that registration is full, he/she is obliged to record your request and your personal data and to refer you to the relevant Regional Directorate. When this procedure is completed, the principal should inform you in which school you can register your child. Bear in mind that in such cases delays might occur.
In case the principal denies registration to your child due to the lack of legal documentation, you can report him/her to the Greek Ombudsman or/and seek advice from an Organization that can provide relevant support.

More information

The Greek Ombudsman
Greek Ministry of Education (Greek only)

Right to Education.

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