The Cost of 'Free' Education in Greece: How Much Does Education Really Cost Greek Families?
Public education in Greece is considered free, but the reality for Greek families is quite different. Despite the constitutional right to free education, many parents are forced to spend significant amounts of money on private tutoring, language schools, and extracurricular activities to ensure their children receive a comprehensive and quality education. Particularly in today's climate of rising costs and economic uncertainty, these expenses weigh heavily on family budgets.
The Paradox of Free Public Education
Despite intentions for free education, Greece's educational system faces serious shortcomings. Families often turn to private tutoring and language schools to ensure their children succeed, especially during middle and high school. Tutoring has become essential, as students struggle to meet school requirements with only the public education system's support.
Costs and Regional Differences
The cost of extracurricular education varies significantly by region. In large urban centers like Athens and Thessaloniki, the fees for tutoring and language lessons are higher compared to smaller towns or rural areas. For example, in major cities, tutoring fees can reach €300-400 per month, while in rural areas, costs may range between €150-250.
Tutoring and Language School Fees
According to research from the General Confederation of Greek Workers (GSEE), 74% of parents pay for tutoring for their children, while 38% cover fees for language lessons. Most parents invest in extracurricular education due to the insufficient educational services offered by the public system, even in areas like foreign language instruction, which is supposed to be covered in schools.
Examples and Indicative Costs
- Primary School
At the primary school level, families spend on foreign languages and extracurricular activities, with costs as follows: - Language schools: €50-100 per month.
- Extracurricular activities: €30-80 per month.
- Study centers: €100-150 per month.
Total monthly cost: €180-330.
- Middle School
In middle school, expenses increase due to more demanding subjects and the need for tutoring: - Language schools: €80-120 per month.
- Academic tutoring: €150-250 per month.
- Extracurricular activities: €50-100 per month.
Total monthly cost: €280-470.
- High School
In high school, preparation for university entrance exams significantly raises costs: - Tutoring for exams: €250-400 per month.
- Language schools: €100-150 per month.
- Extracurricular activities: €50-100 per month.
Total monthly cost: €400-650.
State Support and Scholarships
Although families spend considerable sums on education, there are some government support programs to help with educational expenses. Scholarships, financial aid for low-income families, and private educational institutions that offer partial or full funding for high-performing students can help alleviate some of the financial burden for the most vulnerable families.
Impact of the Pandemic
The COVID-19 pandemic also changed the education landscape. The shift to remote learning introduced new expenses for families, such as purchasing computers and upgrading internet connections. Although some families opted for online tutoring, the majority maintained traditional options, further increasing their monthly costs.
Long-term Consequences for Families
The increased educational expenses have long-term consequences for families, especially those with multiple children. As costs continue to rise, families with children in different stages of education face even greater pressure to meet these needs. The ongoing investment in extracurricular education can significantly drain family finances, affecting other aspects of their lives.
Conclusion
It is evident that "free" education
in Greece has turned into an expensive venture for families. Parents are paying
a lot to secure their children's success, highlighting the need for an overhaul
of the educational system to offer equal opportunities for all.