The institution of compulsory preschool education in Greece

Abstract

Compulsory preschool education for 5-year-old children was instituted by law in Greece in 2006. However, the implementation of the law encountered several problems. This article, on the occasion of the recent institution of compulsory preschool education in Greece, discusses in a critical manner the views that have been voiced in favour and against it and offers an insight of the corresponding situation in other European countries. This article analyses the corresponding legislative course in Greece, focusing on data from the last three years. It identifies and presents oversights and omissions that characterize the implementation of the aforementioned law. Finally, the article offers suggestions that can contribute to the improvement of preschool education in Greece. In this way, the article criticizes the Greek government policy, a policy that governments from other countries must avoid during their efforts to institute compulsory preschool education.