The most recent reform for the 2022/23 school year in primary education establishes an extra hour and a half for the new all-day school which is extended until 5.30 pm. The programme will be implemented as a pilot in approximately 50% of the classes that operate today as all-day, i.e. in almost 5,000 classes in Athens, Thessaloniki and other regions.

The all-day primary school concept has an educational as well as social focus. Students are introduced to a wide range of new activities, such as: robotics, experiments, rhetoric, the worldwide web alongside with more traditional ones like sports, traditional or modern dances, visual arts, crafts and constructions and musical instruments.

The activities have an anthropocentric and anthropoplastic orientation, effectively meeting the multiple and contemporary needs of students for social, emotional, intellectual and holistic child development. The programme’s objective is to cope more effectively with learning difficulties, to encourage new skills such as learn how to learn, to enhance creativity and efficiency, to cultivate soft skills and talents.

The new extended all-day school programme includes time for study/preparation in language and mathematics, while enriching the all-day school with a significant number of creative and engaging activities.

In Pre-school education (Kindergarten) the extension of the optional all-day programme aims to provide creative learning experiences through play, free expression and creative interaction.  The new extended all-day school supports working parents and the family.

In conclusion, the new all-day programme enhances learning and socialisation, through interaction and cooperation with peers.

Additional information: Law 4957/2022, Government Gazette A 141)

Source: Eurydice Unit Greece