Planthead, that is something that many people are unaware of when they bring children to Greece. The need for private lessons on top of their normal school education. Almost every child I know here in Greece has extra private lessons after school.
Message posted by trisa on 06 April 2010 at 9:33am - IP Logged
Legal Disclaimer
Graham, I don't think it just applies to children coming to Greece. Most of the Greek children we know also have private lessons in one subject or another after school.
Trisa.
Message posted by Graham T-A on 06 April 2010 at 9:52am - IP Logged
Legal Disclaimer
Yes Trisa, I was including the Greek children I know here. Just to make it clear, most children have private lessons here in Greece including Greek children if they want to pass their exams.
Message posted by GUV1 on 07 April 2010 at 10:29pm - IP Logged
Legal Disclaimer
This year is the worse I have ever seen for people returning to the UK from Corfu. Most years the rush is at the end of the season but this year many, like planthead, are leaving just as the new season is arriving. I thank planthead for having the courage to come on here and tell us about it as most will not do this. They always come on saying how wonderful life is going to be, then for a year or so telling us how good everything is while they still seem to be in holiday mode. After that it goes a little quieter and then (normally after two or two and a half years) they suddenly slip back to the UK without a word, never to be heard of again.
Message posted by trisa on 08 April 2010 at 9:11am - IP Logged
Legal Disclaimer
Totally agree with you Graham. Living here on a permanent basis is never going to feel the same as being on a two week holiday here.
OK, it may be like that for the first year but I defy anyone to be able to live the holiday lifestyle 24/7, year in year out, without getting bored witless and/or ending up totally broke!
Trisa.
Message posted by afcb1965 on 08 April 2010 at 11:31am - IP Logged
Legal Disclaimer
I have been reading this thread for ages now. We have two kids in the Greek education system. they have been in the schools for nearly 5yrs now and both are doing very well. They both have a good group of Greek and English friends. I'm not sure how anyone can comment on how your kids will get on as no one knows them like you do..what I would say is if you decide to move good luck to you. You're the only person who knows your kids character well enough to know how they will cope. Most people that have commented on this thread have never have kids in school here but they will post anyway.
Graham...nice bit of generalisation there...as I don't know anyone who has gone back for good. I do know a couple of people that went back in the winter for work but are now back here..so not sure where you got your facts from. Maybe all English who move to your area of the island find life harder!
Message posted by Bill on 16 April 2010 at 5:47pm - IP Logged
Legal Disclaimer
Quote: Originally posted by afcb1965 on 08 April 2010
...I'm not sure how anyone can comment on how your kids will get on as no one knows them like you do..what I would say is if you decide to move good luck to you. You're the only person who knows your kids character well enough to know how they will cope. Most people that have commented on this thread have never have kids in school here but they will post anyway.
Graham...nice bit of generalisation there...as I don't know anyone who has gone back for good. I do know a couple of people that went back in the winter for work but are now back here..so not sure where you got your facts from. Maybe all English who move to your area of the island find life harder!
Interesting comments.
I do agree that parents are normally best placed to know how well or poorly their children are likely to cope with a change of environment. However, surely if as a parent you are not fully aware of what that environment is likely to entail you cannot be well placed to make an informed decision. The purpose of this thread is to offer advice about the education system, it's pluses, pitfalls and others experiences.
I think too that you will find that several of the recent contributors, contrary to your assertion, have had or currently have children who are in the school system on Corfu (myself included). Personally we have been lucky; our kids have largely integrated into the system and are doing well, but I have seen many others who despite the best efforts of parents, teachers and the children themselves, have not.
Wandering slightly off thread for a moment... you mention Graham's 'generalisation'. I feel I must support his comment, he's not alone in knowing a lot of ex pats who have returned to the UK recently.
Recent news coverage suggests that of some 5.5 million ex pats worldwide, around 4 million are considering a return to the UK at present.
Many people with pensions or income derived in sterling are finding it impossible to afford to remain here, whilst the rising unemployment, low wages and a failing tourist market make it difficult for the many others. This is over and above those who simply discovered the reality of living on Corfu doesn't reflect the dream.
We live in a nearly entirely Greek environment (rather than an 'ex pat community') many kms from Graham's house. Despite this I know of numerous people who have returned to the UK in the last 12 months, some of whom had been settled here for many years.
Perhaps it is you who are the lucky one and have been sheltered from the recent exodus from Corfu! It's good to know that some of us are still surviving here :)
Message posted by janmanessi on 16 April 2010 at 6:18pm - IP Logged
Legal Disclaimer
not necessarily either, but it DOES require a tremendous amount of thought, and advice from teachers and all concerned before making a decision. All too often we do not think things through enough before acting, but when childrens' futures are at stake it really needs to be thought through
Message posted by janmanessi on 16 April 2010 at 7:09pm - IP Logged
Legal Disclaimer
All Rights Reserved. No part of the Corfu Travel Guide web site may be reproduced without permission.
Infringement will be pursued.
The Corfu Travel
Guide and Lefkada Travel Guides are brought to you by Agni Travel.
Agni Travel is the sister company of Taverna Agni and also the sponsor of the Agni Animal Welfare Fund
Topic:
Goto Page: 
