Major changes are set to take effect in Greece’s education system starting with the 2026–2027 school year. The Ministry of Education, Religious Affairs, and Sports is restructuring the public school network—establishing new schools where demand is rising, while merging, downgrading, or closing others in response to demographic shifts.
Mergers and Adjustments in Primary Education
As part of this reorganization, 70 kindergartens will be merged into 33 unified units, and 12 primary schools will be consolidated into six. These moves follow a sustained decline in student enrollment across many rural and low-density areas. In addition, 40 kindergartens and 106 primary schools will be downgraded—reducing their operational scope—while 43 kindergartens and three primary schools will be fully closed.
At the same time, the ministry is expanding capacity where needed: a new six-classroom primary school will open in Vothona on the island of Thira (Santorini) in the Cyclades. Seven kindergartens and 31 primary schools will also be upgraded—reflecting increased student numbers in those locations.
A Focus on Inclusion and Modernization
The reforms place strong emphasis on Special Education and Support, with plans to create new dedicated units and upgrade existing ones. According to the ministry, the goal is to ensure all children—regardless of learning needs—have equitable access to quality education and appropriate support.
Minister of Education Sofia Zacharakis stated: “With planning, responsibility, and students’ best interests at heart, we are shaping a school map that reflects the real needs of the educational community and local societies. Establishing new schools where demand is growing, strengthening Special Education, upgrading schools with high student numbers, and adapting the network where demographic changes occur are all part of a broader strategy for a more functional, fair, and effective public school system.”
The minister underscored Greece’s commitment to inclusive education, noting that new structures and upgrades to existing schools demonstrate a concrete effort toward equal learning opportunities and meaningful support for every child—no matter where they live.