New economics course introduced in Greek High Schools starting September

Greek students entering the first year of senior high school (A’ Lykeiou) this September will encounter a new addition to their curriculum: a course dedicated to financial literacy. The initiative, first announced last year by former Education Minister Kyriakos Pierrakakis, is now becoming a reality as part of the government’s broader educational reform strategy.

The new two-hour weekly course, titled Economics, aims to combat financial illiteracy among young people. According to sources within the Ministry of Education, the accompanying textbook has already been completed and is expected to be distributed to high schools in the coming weeks, ensuring students receive it by the beginning of the academic year.

The curriculum is designed to provide students with practical economic knowledge relevant to everyday life. Topics include budgeting, saving, taxation, and the basics of how markets function. The course aims to equip students with the tools to understand the economic environment around them and make informed personal financial decisions.

By the end of the course, students will be expected to understand:

The risks associated with credit cards,

How to align personal desires with financial realities,

The concept of interest rates and how they work,

The difference between a checking account and a savings account.

The decision to introduce Economics as an official subject came after consistent recommendations from the Economic Chamber of Greece, which had advocated for integrating economic education systematically into the national curriculum. Their goal was to help students become familiar with basic economic concepts and tools early in life.

Officials from the Ministry of Education have expressed hope that the new course will mark a significant step toward shaping a school system more closely aligned with modern societal needs and real-world skills.