Music Education in Greece II. School System and Structure III. Music Education in Schools V. Critical Comment and Future Development I. Political FrameworkGreece is a residential parliamentary republic with the prime minister and cabinet playing the major role in the political process. Education is dependent on the minister of education who follows governmental policies. Thus, educational policy in Greece is largely affected by the frequent changes in education ministers, as there is no consistent educational policy followed by different education ministers and governments irrespectively. Further information can be found here. II. School System and StructureAlmost 95% of Greek schools are public while most of the private schools are maintained by the private sector. The Greek school structure is: · Primary education – nursery school (2 years), primary school (6 years) · Secondary education – Gymnasium or middle school (3 years) and Lyceum or high school (3 years)
The curricula and timetable for primary and secondary education are drawn up and proposed to the ministry of education (YPEPTH) by the pedagogical institute (PI). Since 1998-1999 the curricula for primary and secondary education have been considered as part of a single philosophy which has led to the establishment of the “Uniform Curriculum Framework for Primary and Secondary Education”. Specifically curricula constitute · clearly formulated objectives for each subject. · the material to be taught at each level is proportional to the requirements of the timetable and the learner's abilities to assimilate. It is structured in individual units and subjects. · indicative directions concerning the method and means of teaching for every unit or subject. The curricula, especially those for the nine years of compulsory schooling, have internal coherence and a uniform development of their content. Textbooks for pupils and teachers are based on the curricula. Curricula are developed on six levels, one for each of the six years of primary school (further information on the cross thematic curriculum framework for compulsory education can be found here). III. Music Education in SchoolsMusic is a compulsory subject from nursery to middle school. Music is not taught at high schools due to pressure on curriculum time to prepare learners for university entry examinations. Whilst music is compulsory, the availability of music teachers or the teacher’s knowledge and confidence to teach music is a factor in the success, or not, of delivery. In nursery schools the class teacher is fully responsible for teaching music, which is part of aesthetic education including music, art and drama. In the vast majority of primary schools music is taught by music specialists. In all secondary schools, learners are taught music only by music specialists. In primary schools, music is taught two lessons per week for 45 minutes. In secondary schools, music is taught one lesson per week for 45 minutes. IV. Music CurriculaThe weight given to music can be seen on the chart below, in which music as part of aesthetic education takes only 9% of the total curriculum time given to all the other subjects.
Time for music in relation to the other curriculum subjects in Greece
Music competences are mentioned with more or less weight in all curricula. The general range of activities and learning fields includes specific “Learning Outcomes” for four different age levels referring to seven years old, end of primary, end of general compulsory schooling and the end of secondary II. However, since music takes place up to the end of high school reference will only be made to the specific goals and content for music.
V. Critical Comment and Future DevelopmentSince the year 1998 the curricula for primary and secondary education have been part of a single philosophy which is applied by the establishment of the uniform curriculum framework for primary and secondary education. There is increased interest in supporting music teaching in schools through textbooks created with EU funds. Whilst textbooks for secondary have been available for some time, textbooks for primary have just been released since 2008 to support the music educational processes in schools.
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