Education Ministry initiatives include approving Onassis-funded schools, IB programs in specific schools

22:42 23/12/2024 - Πηγή: iEfimerida

A proposed bill including the ratification of a donation by the Onassis Foundation for new schools, the introduction of IB courses, and other regulations, was presented at Monday's cabinet meeting by Education, Religions and Sports Minister Kyriakos Pierrakakis and Deputy Minister Zoe (Zetta) Makri.

The

donation and other initiatives were approved by the cabinet that met on Monday under the chairmanship of the prime minister.

Alexander S. Onassis Foundation has offered to set up 22 news schools in areas with social and economic challenges. They will include 11 schools of grades 7-9 (gymnasio) and another 11 of grades 10-12 (lykeio), that will enroll nearly 6,000 students. The Foundation will assume the renovation of the buildings to house the schools.

Another regulation introduces the International Baccalaureate program in model (protypa) and experimental (peiramatika) schools. Greece has 42 model schools (grades 7-9 and 10-12) and 104 experimental schools (23 nursery schools, 41 grade schools, 40 high schools), with enrolments of 15,686 students.

(According to an Education Ministry site, model schools "aim at cultivating and disseminating the ideas and practices of excellence in the educational system." Experimental schools "aim at supporting experimentation and pilot applications of educational innovations in the school system," for a random sample of students. The former enrol students after entrance tests, while the latter through lottery.)

The bill on IB programs will be tabled in Parliament in the first quarter of 2025, while its implementation will be introduced initially in 5 model schools as of September 2026. The timetable is contained in the Unified Government Policy Plan for 2025 presented at the same cabinet meeting by State Deputy Christos-Georgios (Akis) Skertsos.

The Education Ministry will also institutionalize Open Schools for students and society in municipalities that will offer a school curriculum in a facility that includes sports, free games, reading clubs, lectures, and parenting schools. They will be operated by municipalities and overseen by a Quality Supervisor.

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