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Lower Secondary Education (Gymnasio)
The aim of Gymnasio (lower secondary school), in accordance with Law 1566/85 is to promote, in the spirit of the broader purpose of education, the all-round development of the pupils according to their abilities at that age and the corresponding demands of life.
In particular, Gymnasio helps pupils:
· To broaden their value system (moral, national, humanitarian and other values) so that they can regulate their behaviour to conform to these precepts.
· To direct their emotional world towards creative goals and humanitarian actions.
· To supplement and combine the acquisition of knowledge with analogous social reflections, so that they can deal successfully with a variety of situations and seek solutions to life's problems in a responsible way, in a climate of creative dialogue and collective effort.
· To cultivate their use of the language so that they can express their thoughts correctly and clearly both orally and in writing.
· To develop their bodies in a normal way so that they can improve their physical fitness and cultivate their talents and skills in movement.
· To become acquainted with various art forms and develop aesthetic criteria useful for their own creative expression.
· To become aware of their own abilities, inclinations, skills and interests; to acquire information about various trades and professions and to try and improve themselves within the context of their cultural, social and financial life, so that they can develop in harmony both as individuals and as future working people, understanding the equal contribution of mental and manual work to social progress and development.
Gymnasio is for three (3) years. Each grade is divided into one or more classes, depending on the number of pupils. If the number of pupils in each class does not exceed 35, then one class will operate per grade. If the number is between 36-70 pupils, there will be two classes, etc.
Access to schools for pupils living in inaccessible or scarcely populated areas that do not provide the appropriate school –easily accessible– is made by intercity buses or other means of transport, suitable in each case. This cost is undertaken entirely by the State, without any other charge for the pupils.
Registration and Tuition Fees
Attendance of pupils at Gymnasio is compulsory. Registration takes place with no prerequisites; the only documentation required is a school-leaving certificate from Demotiko Scholeio (primary school).
Education in Greece for all levels of public education is provided free of charge and the expenses are covered by the State Budget. As far as private education is concerned, the cost paid by the family –in the form of tuition fees depends on the education level and services provided by the private school.
Financial Support for Pupils
Textbooks and teaching material in Secondary Education are provided free of charge and the transportation cost for pupils from remote areas is covered. Further, under certain conditions, free meals, housing and financial support is provided to a certain number of pupils. Social aid to pupils is limited and consists of a small number of scholarships, donations and financial support coming from various endowments, individuals and from legal entities under private law, and relates to trainees and schools of all education levels. Family allowances fall under two categories. There is a minor's allowance or allowance for a child attending school, and an allowance for families with many members. The former, considered as directly related to the education of a child or young person, is roughly equal to the 1/20 of an average minimum wage. It is remunerated by the employer to an employee paid by the day or month, for every child until the age of 18.
Age levels and grouping of pupils
In Gymnasio, with the exception of the English language classes taught at two levels, according to the degree of the pupils' knowledge, pupils attend a common programme of studies for all other subjects with no differentiation. The age of the pupils ranges from between 12 and 15 years of age, except for instances when the pupil is obliged to repeat a year.
Specialization of studies
In Gymnasio there are no fields of study, nor is specialisation provided in any sector. Pupils attend a common programme of studies.
Organisation of School Time
The organisation of school time is regulated by a Ministry circular centrally. The school year starts on September 11th and ends on June 30th. During the academic year there are holidays –Christmas and Easter– totally amounting to four (4) weeks. Summer holidays for pupils last from July 1st till September 10th. Days of courses during each school year are 175 (35 weeks × 5 days). Courses start at 8:15 and end at 14:10.
Curriculum, Subjects, Number of Hours
The curricula and timetables in Secondary Education are drawn up and proposed to the Ministry of National Education and Religious Affairs by the Pedagogical Institute. The PI organises competition for the writing of school textbooks for pupils and teachers based on the approved curricula. Curricula constitute full guides to the educational task, and consist chiefly of clearly formulated goals for each subject within the framework of the general and special aims of the level of education in question, the material to be taught structured into units and directions indicating the method and teaching aids for each subject.
The curricula are drawn up, tested experimentally, evaluated and revised according to developments in the subject area and in the realm of education. Textbooks for pupils and teachers are written on the basis of the curricula and distributed free of charge in state schools. At the same time, innovative actions have been introduced into the secondary school curriculum, such as Health Education, Youth Entrepreneurship, Environmental Education, Flexible Zone of Innovative Actions, School Vocational Guidance, Olympic Education and competent programmes are applied.
Gymnasio (lower secondary school) curricula are structured on three (3) levels, each of which corresponds to one (1) of its three (3) grades. They include timetables for day and evening Gymnasio, as follows:
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SUBJECTS |
1st |
2nd |
3rd |
|
1 |
Religious Education |
2 |
2 |
2 |
|
2 |
Ancient Greek Language and Literature |
Ancient Greek from Translation |
2 |
2 |
2 |
|
Ancient Greek Language |
2 |
2 |
2 |
|
3 |
Modern Greek Language and Literature |
Modern Greek Language |
2 |
2 |
2 |
|
Modern Greek Literature |
2 |
2 |
2 |
|
4 |
History |
2 |
2 |
3 |
|
5 |
Civics and Social Studies |
- |
- |
2 |
|
6 |
English |
3 |
2 |
2 |
|
7 |
French or German |
2 |
2 |
2 |
|
8 |
Mathematics |
4 |
4 |
4 |
|
9 |
Physics |
- |
2 |
2 |
|
10 |
Chemistry |
- |
1 |
1 |
|
11 |
Geography |
2 |
2 |
- |
|
12 |
Physics |
2 |
- |
2 |
|
13 |
Physical Education |
3 |
3 |
2 |
|
14 |
Music |
1 |
1 |
1 |
|
15 |
Arts |
1 |
1 |
1 |
|
16 |
Home Economics |
1 |
2 |
- |
|
17 |
Computer Science |
1 |
1 |
1 |
|
18 |
Technology |
1 |
1 |
- |
|
19 |
School Vocational Guidance |
- |
- |
1 |
|
20 |
Total of hours per grade |
35 |
35 |
35 |
To prevent dropouts, social exclusion and inequalities in Gymnasio, there is the Remedial Teaching Programme especially for pupils facing learning difficulties.
Teaching Methods and Materials
At the beginning of the school year special directions are dispatched to teachers of all specialisations by the Pedagogical Institute regarding the goals of the subjects they teach, together with general and particular methodological teaching instructions for them. The teachers of each subject assess the abilities of their pupils and adjust their teaching accordingly. All methods employed in modern pedagogy are applied according to the subject, and a variety of teaching aids shall be used.
Pupil Assessment
Pupil assessment is regarded as being an on-going pedagogical process which makes it possible to follow the pupil's learning progress, to determine its final results and to evaluate the different aspects of the pupil's personality as related to the school's task. The purpose is to keep improving the teaching process and more general operation of the school, as well as to inform teachers and pupils alike about the results of their efforts, in such a way as to achieve the best possible learning results. Assessment does not report only on the pupils' performance in the various subjects, but also on their other characteristics, such as their efforts, interest, initiatives, creativity, cooperation with other people and respect for school regulations.
The assessment is based on:
· The daily oral examination and the pupil's total participation in the teaching-learning process.
· Short written tests. Hour-long compulsory written tests which are given without notice in each of the first two three-month terms, at the discretion of the teacher and in consultation with the school principal.
· The assignments done by the pupils at school or at home, as part of their daily obligations that contribute to the learning process. The composite creative projects undertaken by the pupil either alone or in cooperation with classmates, on a subject of his/her choice and under the guidance of the teacher.
· Written examinations to review the material. They are held right after classes finish, for subjects that do no not last for the entire school year and in June, after classes finish, in all subjects other than physical education, music, household economy, technology, art and school vocational guidance. The material on which the pupils will be examined on the finals in each subject is determined as being 3/5 of that taught, providing it is not less than half of the total curriculum material to be taught.
The assessment is numerical, descriptive, referring to the pupil's effort, interest, initiatives, and activity as well as to the proficiency acquired in each subject. The mark assigned for the pupil's performance in each subject, in which a review examination is held, is based on ¼ of the sum total of the three (3) term marks plus the mark received in the written final examination in June. In subjects which have no written final examination, the yearly mark will constitute 1/3 of the sum total of the three (3) term marks. In subjects taught for half the school year, the annual performance mark is based on 1/3 of the sum total of the two three-month term marks plus the mark in the written examinations. The annual mark for subjects, which have branches, constitutes the average of the final marks per branch.
Progression of pupils
In Gymnasio, for pupils to be judged worthy of being promoted or of graduating, subjects are distinguished into two groups (A and B). Group B includes the subjects: Physical Education, Music-Art, Home Economics, Technology and School Vocational Guidance. Group A includes all other subjects per grade (see above subdivision.
Pupils can be promoted or graduate in the following instances:
· When they have an annual general mark of at least ten (10) in each subject in groups A and B.
· When pupils have a mark of less than 10 in one (1) up to four (4) subjects in the B group and an overall average mark in both groups of at least a full ten (10).
· When they have a mark of less than 10 in up to four subjects in the A group but have an average overall mark of at least thirteen (13) in all subjects in the A group;
· When their mark is less than ten (10) in one (1) up to four (4) subjects in groups A and B and the conditions outlined above in (ii) and (iii) for the subjects in each group apply.
Pupils may sit for a written and oral supplementary examination in September in as many subjects as they have failed to receive a pass mark of ten (10). This is the case when they have failed up to four (4) subjects and do not fulfil the conditions outlined above. Pupils who do not fall into any of these categories (i.e. promotion or supplementary examinations) are not judged worthy of promotion or graduation, in which case they must repeat the same grade.
Pupils in the last year of lower secondary school, not judged worthy of a leaving certificate or of writing supplemental examinations, are permitted to repeat the examinations during the examination periods anticipated by the provisions in effect for each school year, with the exception of the June period in the year in which they attended this grade. This procedure can be followed until the student who has finished Gymnasio acquires his or her school-leaving certificate, without the obligation of re-attending the 3rd grade. Pupils who have not exceeded the permitted number of absences from school have the right to take part in the June examinations.
Educational guidance and assistance to teachers is provided by the Pedagogical Institute, the Secondary School Advisers and the Artistic Committee. The Class council will resolve educational and pedagogical issues arising in a grade or class.
The mark awarded to pupils for promotion to the next grade also includes their marks in the music subjects. A pupil who does not pass the music subjects in the September supplementary examinations must transfer to another general education school.
Certification
Pupils who graduate from Gymnasio are given a school-leaving certificate. With this certificate they may enrol in an Eniaio Lykeio (general upper secondary school) or in a Techniko Epaggelmatiko Ekpaideftirio-TEE (technical vocational educational school) to continue their education.
Educational/Vocational Guidance, Education/Employment Links
Educational guidance and assistance to teachers is provided by the Pedagogical Institute, the Secondary School Advisers and the Artistic Committee. The Class Council will resolve educational and pedagogical issues arising in a grade or class.
School Vocational Guidance (SEP) is included in Gymnasium curricula, which comprises both theory and visits to various work-places, along with the application of Career Education and by organizing Career Days in the school units.
Organisational variations and alternative structures
There are also the following types of Gymnasio: Ecclesiastic Gymnasio, Gymnasio for minorities, Intercultural Gymnasio, Music Gymnasio, Artistic Gymnasio, Sport Gymnasio, Experimental Gymnasio, Special Needs Education Gymnasio and Second Change Gymnasio.
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