New subject in primary schools – What it is and its aim

Starting in December 2025, a nationwide program will be implemented in 4,384 primary schools across Greece. The project, titled “School Vegetable Gardens”, will run until November 2026 and aims to bring students closer to hands-on learning and ecological cultivation.

Growing Knowledge and Awareness

The program emphasizes the educational use of nature. Through the creation of vegetable gardens with raised beds, seeds, tools, and small greenhouses, children will have the chance to cultivate vegetables and herbs using organic and ecological methods.

This experience is designed not only to transmit knowledge but also to nurture ecological awareness, cooperation, and responsibility.

Nature as a Teaching Tool

According to the Ministry, school gardens offer an innovative learning method, allowing pupils to connect theory with practice. Observing the growth of plants helps foster patience, persistence, and care, while at the same time building environmental and social sensitivity.

The initiative aligns with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), promoting sustainability and responsible action against climate change.

Inclusion and Teamwork

Special emphasis is placed on the inclusive nature of the project. Through group work and collective care of the gardens, pupils develop mutual support, teamwork, and creative participation.

The learning process extends beyond textbooks, strengthening schools as communities of collaboration and growth.

Infrastructure and Resources

To support the program, the Ministry of Education will provide every school with the necessary resources: seeds, tools, organic soil, garden beds, and small greenhouses. Distribution will be centrally managed to ensure equal access for all schools.

A Life Lesson for the Future

The “School Vegetable Gardens” initiative aspires to become a model of environmental education, bringing children closer to the land and the values of sustainability. It is not just an educational project but a life lesson, cultivated day by day through shared effort and the joy of creation.