Writer: Nancy Zoidou Saripapa, KMOP
Education serves as a cornerstone for fostering equality and social cohesion. In Greece, progress has been made in improving educational outcomes, yet challenges persist, particularly in addressing disparities among students of different socioeconomic and regional backgrounds. The European Commission’s Education and Training Monitor 2024 highlights key areas where action is needed to ensure a more inclusive and equitable education system.
One critical area of concern is early school leaving, that although has seen improvement in recent years, its rates remain higher in rural and less developed regions. Students in these areas often encounter barriers to accessing quality education, including limited infrastructure, insufficient teaching resources, and lower expectations. These factors contribute to a cycle of inequality, where students from disadvantaged backgrounds struggle to break free from socioeconomic constraints.
Moreover, Greece faces ongoing issues with educational attainment and quality, particularly in primary and secondary education. The 2022 OECD Programme for International Student Assessment (PISA) revealed that 47.2% of 15-year-olds in Greece underperformed in mathematics, 37.6% in reading, and 37.3% in science, making these among the highest underachievement rates in the EU. Despite important reforms, including lowering the starting age for compulsory pre-school education, updating curricula, and introducing innovative actions in schools, Greece continues to face significant challenges in improving basic skills, with sharper declines compared to EU trends.
Greece has implemented some key reforms in the field of education, such as enhancing curricula and textbooks and establishing new models of schools. However, to build on these efforts, it is crucial to prioritise policies that target marginalised communities, ensuring students in rural and disadvantaged areas have equal opportunities to succeed. Addressing issues such as housing for students and staff, overcrowding in certain schools, and staff shortages in isolated areas could significantly reduce disparities. Strengthening access to resources, such as digital tools and connectivity, alongside tailored support for underperforming students, remains essential to achieving systemic change.
As highlighted in the EXIT Policy Brief, territorial inequalities in education are deeply tied to broader societal challenges, including the centralisation of resources, social diversity in schools, and the exodus of young people from rural areas. To tackle these issues, the EXIT project emphasises innovative strategies like inclusive mobility, improved access to education and training, and targeted interventions to address the specific needs of underserved regions. By fostering collaboration among policymakers, educators, and communities, EXIT provides a blueprint for addressing educational inequalities and ensuring equitable opportunities for all students.
Education is not just a fundamental right – it is the key to a more inclusive and resilient society. As Greece continues its journey toward reducing inequalities, the strategies developed within EXIT offer actionable solutions that can inspire broader change across Europe.
