Greece has formally launched a national dialogue on the creation of a new National High School Diploma, marking a major reform effort to reshape upper secondary education around modern technological and labor market demands.
Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis announced the initiative on Tuesday during a high-level interministerial meeting at the Maximos Mansion, the official seat of the Prime Minister. Notably, the government designed the process as a cross-party effort, inviting broad political and institutional participation from the outset.
Parliamentary process and timeline for Greece’s high school diploma reform
Next week, discussions on the new national diploma are set to begin in Parliament through the Committee on Educational Affairs. From there, the consultation phase will run for nine months and proceed through clearly defined stages. Ultimately, policymakers aim to prepare the relevant legislation by the end of 2026.
Importantly, officials clarified that the proposed framework will not affect students who currently attend high school or those in the final year of lower secondary education. In addition, the nationwide university entrance examinations will continue unchanged. Under the current roadmap, the earliest rollout would apply to first-year high school students in the 2027–2028 academic year.
New institutions for assessment and evaluation
At the center of the reform plan sits a new assessment framework built on dedicated national bodies.
Specifically, the proposal introduces a National Examinations Authority, a National Body of Evaluators, and a redesigned National Question Bank. Together, these structures aim to strengthen transparency, consistency, and credibility across the board in terms of student evaluations.
Five pillars of Greece’s national high school diploma reform
According to the Ministry of Education, the new diploma model and revised pathway to higher education are built on five system-wide pillars. Together, these pillars are designed to bring curriculum, school operations, and governance into closer alignment and include:
- A shared academic foundation: The curriculum will guarantee that all students have access to a strong, common core of knowledge and skills.
- Schools as learning communities: School life will emphasize learning communities that foster both academic achievement and social development rather than operating as purely exam-driven environments.
- Sustained teacher development: Teachers’ professional growth will be supported through a unified, continuous, and practice-oriented development framework.
- Equitable infrastructure: Physical and digital infrastructure will be strengthened to ensure equal educational opportunities, regardless of geographic location.
- Clear and stable governance: System governance will be based on clearly defined roles, robust accountability mechanisms, and long-term institutional continuity.
A broader vision for upper secondary education
Overall, Greece’s Ministry of Education presents the reform as a comprehensive upgrade of the high school model. In practical terms, the objective is to establish a more modern, equitable, and effective framework.
As a result, students will have access to greater opportunities for meaningful learning and personal development, while also improving their preparation for higher education, employment, and a rapidly evolving economy.
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