Greek Government launches national dialogue on new lyceum reform and national baccalaureate
Speaking before the Parliamentary Committee on Cultural and Educational Affairs, Education Minister Sofia Zacharaki emphasized that the reform will not increase exam pressure but instead reduce the number of subjects, particularly in the final year of high school.
“Fewer Subjects, Not More Exams”
“We are not talking about multiplying examinations, but rather about fewer subjects,” Zacharaki stated.
Key elements of the proposed reform include:
- Contribution of all three Lyceum grades to the student’s final evaluation
- A mixed assessment system combining national exams and school performance
- Strengthening the national Question Bank
- Creation of a national body of exam graders
- Establishment of a unified national examination framework
- Reduction of curriculum load in Grade 12 (from six to four subjects)
The reform seeks to move away from the “one-day judgment” model of university entrance exams and instead assess students more holistically across multiple years.
European Benchmark and Evaluation Model
The Minister noted that in 12 European countries, university entrance grades are calculated with a 30% oral performance and 70% written examination ratio.
For Grades 11 and 12, the precise weighting between oral and written assessment remains under discussion as part of the National Dialogue. The potential inclusion of Grade 10 performance is also being examined.
Zacharaki stressed that implementation would be gradual, featuring pilot phases, independent evaluation and a sufficient transition period. Continuous teacher training will be a cornerstone of the reform’s success.
Political Party Positions
Lawmakers from across the political spectrum participated in the debate:
PASOK – Movement for Change MP Stefanos Parastatidis described the National Baccalaureate as a serious pedagogical reform and reaffirmed PASOK’s long-standing call for dialogue since June 2025.
SYRIZA – Progressive Alliance MP Dionysis Kalamatianos urged the government to present detailed proposals, warning that unresolved systemic problems could render the reform ineffective.
Communist Party of Greece (KKE) MP Giannis Delis argued that structural issues cannot be resolved through rhetoric alone.
New Left MP Meropi Tzoufi stressed that any new Lyceum model must address long-standing educational deficiencies.
Greek Solution MP Sofia Haido Asimakopoulou highlighted the need for equal access and the reduction of social inequalities.
NIKI MP Spyridon Tsironis said the Minister’s framework provides a constructive starting point for dialogue.
Course of Freedom MP Spyros Bibilas referred to discussions about potentially abolishing nationwide entrance exams, emphasizing the need for system reliability.
New Democracy MP Ioanna Lytrivi underscored the importance of building a modern, fair and inclusive public education system.
Meanwhile, Michalis Sfakianakis, President of the Rectors’ Conference and head of the National Dialogue Committee, stressed that the ultimate goal is an open, democratic and inclusive educational model aligned with contemporary needs.
Toward a More Equitable Education System
The proposed reform aims to reshape Greece’s secondary education architecture by ensuring fairness, transparency and academic depth. By reducing subject overload and balancing written and oral assessments, the government seeks to create a system that values sustained effort over high-stakes, single-day examinations.
Minister Zacharaki concluded by expressing satisfaction with the constructive tone of the debate and the opposition’s willingness to participate in the National Dialogue process.
