A Short Review comparing Greek with French Schools

by Osmo Eyal and Thibaut Van Heule,

VET program || students

The differences between schools in France and Greece

Comparing the French and Greek education systems, from preschool to age 18, involves examining several aspects, including structure, content, and pedagogical methods. Here's a general comparison:

Preschool (3-6 years):

France:

●     Preschool is optional but strongly encouraged.

●     The curriculum focuses on the social, emotional, and cognitive development of the child.

●     Activities are primarily play-based and exploratory.

●     Teachers encourage autonomy and socialization.

Greece:

●     Pre-primary education is also optional.

●     The curriculum emphasizes play, creative expression, and social interactions.

●     The main goal is to prepare children for primary school by developing their language and cognitive skills.

Primary School (6-12 years):

France:

●     Primary school is mandatory.

●     The curriculum includes subjects such as French, mathematics, science, history-geography, physical education, arts, and civic education.

●     Emphasis is on acquiring basic skills and developing reading, writing, and numeracy.

●     Students typically have one teacher for most subjects.

Greece:

●     Primary school is also mandatory.

●     The curriculum includes similar subjects to France, with a particular focus on Greek language, mathematics, science, history-geography, and physical education.

●     Students usually have a different teacher for each subject.

●     Teaching is more traditional, focused on rote learning and recitation.                                                                                  

  Middle School (12-15 years):

France:

●     Students enter middle school after primary school.

●     The curriculum includes additional subjects such as foreign languages, technology, music, and civic education.

●     Students begin preparing for national exams, such as the brevet des collèges.

Greece:

●     After primary school, students move to gymnasium.

●     The curriculum includes a wider range of subjects than primary school, including foreign languages, music, and religion.

●     Students also begin preparing for national exams, such as the end-of-gymnasium exams.

High School (15-18 years):

France:

●     Students enter high school after obtaining their brevet des collèges.

●     They choose between different tracks: general, technological, or vocational.

●     The curriculum for the general track includes subjects such as French, mathematics, history-geography, foreign languages, philosophy, etc.

●     Students take the baccalauréat exam at the end of their secondary education.

Greece:

●     After completing gymnasium, students can choose to continue their studies in upper secondary education or pursue vocational training.

●     The curriculum includes subjects similar to those in French high school, with a particular emphasis on Greek language and literature.

●     Students take end-of-year exams and a university entrance exam at the end of their secondary education.

In summary, while the French and Greek education systems share similarities in structure and content, there are also significant differences in pedagogical methods, subjects taught, and national exams.