Having no children of school age and never having experienced Greek education, this is a difficult question to answer on a personal leval.
An English friend is married to a Greek and their two children aged 9 and 12 years attend school here. Their mum has commented that they tend to learn things 'parrot fashion', in much the way that I was taught tables. The elder child, a girl is now learning English, Italian and German as well as Greek. This is a state school, not private.
Basically, as I understand it, school attendance is compulsory from 6 to 15 years. ie for 9 years. Attendance at all public schools and universities is apparently free of charge as are educational materials and textbooks.
As an aside, there is a very useful book called 'About Greece' that I obtained from the Press and Publicity Department of the Greek Embassy in London. It is very useful and makes interesting reading. They sent it to me free of charge when I told them that I wanted to live here and started asking questions like "How do I import my car into Greece?" It didn't give the answer to that question, but it does give lots, and I mean LOTS of information. Be aware though that it has obviously been prepared based on a political agenda, not that I blame them for that.
I mention this book, because it has about 20 pages on the Education system in Greece. The copy that I have was produced in 1999 and may not be current. (EU membership and all that.)
I have also been advised by a correspondent, 'Adrian' who has a ten year old daughter that he has visited the local school in Acharavi and was made very welcome. They were shown around the school and met the bi-lingual teachers who would teach their daughter. They suggested that because of their daughter's lack of Greek she should attend what they call a 'special needs' class where she would be taught in both English and Greek. As the children at the school are taught English she should have no trouble in making friends. They were also advised of after school classes and of a private tutor.
Apparently, the only paperwork required was the last two school reports and medical forms relating to innoculations etc.)
Achillion Private Secondary and High School
There is also a school called The Achillion Private Secondary and High School at Ponti in the Municipality of Achillion. They advertise periodically in an English language magazine here.
Their telephone number is (from the UK) 0030 26610 57002 or 57106. Their email address is focuskrk@otenet.gr. Amongst other things they advertise is 'Entry to British Universities (except medical school)'.
Oh yes! They also advertise 'No strikes' and 'No sit-ins'!! I have no knowledge of the school or its achievements but would suggest that they have got to be worth contacting.
| Previous | Back to The Corfiot's FAQ Page | Next |