Although Greece has made strides in improving their educational system they still have a long way to go. There are changes being made towards implementing the UN Secretary-General’s Initiative on Global Education and the three priorities. But Greece still needs to look at many aspects of their educational system. There are still some areas that fall far below the Organization for Economic and Development (OECD) which is what Greece should compare their scores and statistics too when trying to improve educational standards. This report will cover the three priorities and how Greece is either moving towards educational improvement or how Greece is still falling short
Priority #1
Put Every Child in School
Priority #1 of the UN Secretary-General is geared towards ensuring that every child is placed in and finishing primary and secondary school (Global Education First Initiative [GEFI]). Greece has an extremely high enrolment rate for children 5-14 years of age in primary education. In 2012 Greece had a 99% enrolment rate compared to the OECD average of 98% for the same age group. (OECD, 2014) This is an aspect that Greece does not have an issue with. That being said most countries struggle with class sizes being too big but Greece has an issue with class sizes being too small. There are on average 17 students per teacher, although this is not an issue with not having adequate attention for each student it is an issue with the government not placing teachers where they would be most useful. If the schools raised the class sizes up to the mean of 23 students per teacher schools could have more teachers teaching in departments that better suit the individual teachers skills (Rampell, 2009)
Priority #2
Improve the Quality of Learning
Priority #2 focuses on creating better environments for children to learn in by having properly trained teachers and having the proper materials needed to teach effectively (GEFI). Greece’s teachers salaries are declining, therefor so are their efforts. Teachers earn 77% of what they earned in 2005 this is a major issue (OECD, 2014). Teachers need to be paid what they deserve or else the motivation to improve the quality of learning will not be present. Also, teaching hours per year have declined in both primary and lower-secondary education from 2010-2012. In primary school hours have declined 40 hours and in lower-secondary there has been a decline of 11 hours per year (OECD,2014). If schools are taking away teaching hours how are they expected to improve academically. In turn, Greece has started a program for teachers called “In service training and all day schools.” This allows students more time during the school day to receive help with homework.
Priority #3
Foster Global Citizenship
Priority #3 focuses on preparing students for the real world in teaching skills and brotherly acceptance (GEFI). Also that school should not only prepare students to pass test but also ready our students for the work force. Greece is taking action in providing equal education for all socio-economic situations. Before this action students could only go to a school based on their place of residence (OECD, 2014). This restriction was a disadvantage for people from lower economic areas. This change will help improve school with tolerance of people from different backgrounds by diversifying the school, as well as enabling students who may have not had a chance at a great education to have the same opportunities as those from a better socio-economic situation. Parents will now have a choice in where their children attend primary and secondary school in efforts for students to get a better education and to change the statistic of poverty staying in poverty.
Priority #1
Put Every Child in School
Priority #1 of the UN Secretary-General is geared towards ensuring that every child is placed in and finishing primary and secondary school (Global Education First Initiative [GEFI]). Greece has an extremely high enrolment rate for children 5-14 years of age in primary education. In 2012 Greece had a 99% enrolment rate compared to the OECD average of 98% for the same age group. (OECD, 2014) This is an aspect that Greece does not have an issue with. That being said most countries struggle with class sizes being too big but Greece has an issue with class sizes being too small. There are on average 17 students per teacher, although this is not an issue with not having adequate attention for each student it is an issue with the government not placing teachers where they would be most useful. If the schools raised the class sizes up to the mean of 23 students per teacher schools could have more teachers teaching in departments that better suit the individual teachers skills (Rampell, 2009)
Priority #2
Improve the Quality of Learning
Priority #2 focuses on creating better environments for children to learn in by having properly trained teachers and having the proper materials needed to teach effectively (GEFI). Greece’s teachers salaries are declining, therefor so are their efforts. Teachers earn 77% of what they earned in 2005 this is a major issue (OECD, 2014). Teachers need to be paid what they deserve or else the motivation to improve the quality of learning will not be present. Also, teaching hours per year have declined in both primary and lower-secondary education from 2010-2012. In primary school hours have declined 40 hours and in lower-secondary there has been a decline of 11 hours per year (OECD,2014). If schools are taking away teaching hours how are they expected to improve academically. In turn, Greece has started a program for teachers called “In service training and all day schools.” This allows students more time during the school day to receive help with homework.
Priority #3
Foster Global Citizenship
Priority #3 focuses on preparing students for the real world in teaching skills and brotherly acceptance (GEFI). Also that school should not only prepare students to pass test but also ready our students for the work force. Greece is taking action in providing equal education for all socio-economic situations. Before this action students could only go to a school based on their place of residence (OECD, 2014). This restriction was a disadvantage for people from lower economic areas. This change will help improve school with tolerance of people from different backgrounds by diversifying the school, as well as enabling students who may have not had a chance at a great education to have the same opportunities as those from a better socio-economic situation. Parents will now have a choice in where their children attend primary and secondary school in efforts for students to get a better education and to change the statistic of poverty staying in poverty.