Pupil and student mobility

Student mobility is mainly promoted through:

1. the Erasmus+ (2021-2027) European Commission programme
2. the e-Twinning action.

Erasmus+

Concerning school education, the National Agency is the State Scholarships Foundation (IKY).

As regards pupils and students, the mobility activities supported under Key Action 1 «Learning Mobility οf Individuals» are meant to produce one or more of the following outcomes:

• improved learning performance
• enhanced employability and improved career prospects
• increased sense of initiative and entrepreneurship
• increased self-empowerment and self-esteem
• improved foreign language and digital competences
• enhanced intercultural awareness
• more active participation in society
• better awareness of the European project and the EU values
• increased motivation for taking part in future (formal/non-formal) education or training after the mobility period abroad.

Available mobility formats

• Group mobility of school pupils (2 to 30 days, at least two pupils per group)
• Short-term learning mobility of pupils (10 to 29 days)
• Long-term learning mobility of pupils (30 to 365 days)

In addition to physical mobility, all pupil mobility activities can be blended with virtual activities.

Eligible participants

Participating pupils and students must be enrolled in an education programme at the sending school.

Student mobility is also supported through Key Action 2 «Cooperation among Organizations and Institutions».

All available actions and necessary information is described in the Erasmus+ Program Guide which is published on the IKY website.

In the ministerial decision 25735/Η1/2020 the following parameters are defined:

• the operation framework of the ERASMUS + programme
• the participation and travel process.

The necessary supporting documents for the approval of the travel abroad are submitted at least twenty (20) days before their implementation by the Principal of the school unit to the relevant Director of Education, who grants the approval of the school travel.

Etwinning

European Action eTwinning is implemented in schools in Europe and fosters school networking activities through the use of Information and Communications Technology (ICT).

This action encourages students of different nationalities to:

• get acquainted
• collaborate
• network, and
• practise their skills on ICT.

E-Twinning offers many opportunities to apply innovations and creative learning in the teaching process.

Teachers, but mainly students of primary and secondary education, benefit from the co-operation with schools in other countries.  They come out of the narrow boundaries of the classroom and ultimately the lesson gains a European dimension. ETwinning "throws a bridge" towards Europe and facilitates students acquire better skills to meet modern challenges.

The eTwinning action is supported by the Central European Support Service (CSS) and a network of National Support Service (NSS).

The designated Hellenic eTwinning National Support Organisation for the period 2021-2027 is Computer Technology Institute and Press Diophantus (CTI) - “Diophantus”.

The Hellenic Support Service for the eTwinning action is operated by the Computer Technology Institute and Press "Diophantus" in collaboration with the Ministry of Educahttp://www.etwinning.gr/tion and Religious Affairs.

At a national level, the Hellenic National Support Service cooperates with the ambassadors of the action, which consists of primary and secondary education teachers.  It aims to inform the educational community about the action by organising:

• Informative workshops - work sessions
• Online courses
• Other actions. 

Due to the pandemic that has affected education around the world, eTwinning offers various online events and opportunities for professional development for the benefit of both students and teachers..

Teacher mobility

Granting training leaves

Primary and secondary education teachers are entitled to apply for leave if they wish to re-train or undertake postgraduate studies in Greece or other countries abroad.

Granting is compulsorily approved for staff, who have received an IKY scholarship.

Leave is pensionable for up to 5 years of paid training leave.  They are also entitled to reimbursement of their round-trip travel expenses (law 3528/2007).

In order to ensure that training completed abroad is fully recognised and validated, teachers must submit to the respective regional primary or secondary education board relevant records confirming the qualifications obtained. 

Posting teachers abroad

Provisions for promoting Greek education abroad include 

• Posting teachers at Greek schools abroad (secondments) (law 4415/2016).

According to joint ministerial decision 48230/Η2/27.04.2021, public service officers (teachers and administrative staff) of the Ministry of Education are entitled to financial benefits while serving at the offices of educational coordinators and Greek school units abroad until the first 3 years of their posting and with the possibility of extending their secondment for two (2) additional school years, of which the first (4th year) with a special financial bonus abroad.  Years employed as a posted worker abroad are fully pensionable.

Participating in Erasmus+

Key Action 1 «Learning Mobility οf Individuals» is implemented by the State Scholarships Foundation.

As regards staff involved in education, mobility activities are expected to produce one or more of the following outcomes:

• improved competences, linked to their occupational profiles (teaching, training, youth work, etc.)
• broader understanding of practices, policies and systems in education, training or youth work across countries
• increased capacity to trigger changes in terms of modernisation and international opening within their educational organisations
• greater understanding of interconnections between formal and non-formal education, vocational training and the labour market respectively
• better quality of their work and activities in favour of students, trainees, apprentices, pupils, adult learners, young people and volunteers
• greater understanding and responsiveness to social, linguistic and cultural diversity
• increased ability to address the needs of the disadvantaged
• increased support for and promotion of mobility activities for learners
• increased opportunities for professional and career development
• improved foreign language and digital competences
• increased motivation and satisfaction in their daily work.

Staff mobility activities

• Job shadowing (2 to 60 days)
• Teaching or training assignments (2 to 365 days)
• Courses and training (2 to 30 days)

In addition to physical mobility, all staff mobility activities can be blended with virtual activities.

Eligible participants

Eligible participants include teachers, school leaders and all other non-teaching experts andstaff working in school education Eligible non-teaching staff includes staff working in school education, either in schools (teacher assistants, pedagogical advisors, psychologists, etc.) or in other organisations active in school education (e.g. school inspectors, counsellors, policy coordinators in charge of schooleducation, etc.).

Staff mobility is also supported through Key Action 2 «Cooperation among Organizations and Institutions».

All available actions and necessary information is described in the Erasmus+ Program Guide which is published on the IKY website.