Greece to launch 22 'Onassis Public Schools' in disadvantaged areas

The Greek government, in collaboration with the Onassis Foundation, is launching 22 "Onassis Public Schools" to bring transformative changes to public education in underprivileged areas. This ambitious initiative aims to enhance educational opportunities for over 6,000 secondary school students across Greece, focusing on vulnerable regions like Attica and Thessaloniki.

Meeting the demand for quality education

With overwhelming demand for experimental and model schools – over 20,300 applications for just 4,800 spots in 2024 – these new schools aim to address a critical gap. Designed as "schools of the future," they will offer innovative curricula, state-of-the-art facilities, and extracurricular programs in STEM, arts, humanities, and digital technologies. The initiative specifically targets economically and socially disadvantaged communities, aiming to provide equitable access to high-quality education.

A public-private collaboration

Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis hailed the program as a way to strengthen Greece's public education system, emphasizing the importance of providing opportunities for all students while learning lessons to improve the broader system. The Onassis Foundation will fund renovations, provide equipment, and cover costs for extracurricular activities and teacher training, while the government will oversee operations and retain governance. Teachers will remain civil servants, and student admission will be based on merit, determined through a knowledge and skills test.

A proven model of success

The Onassis Public Schools will adopt a framework similar to the Onassis Cardiac Surgery Center, which has been a public health benchmark since 1993. An independent nine-member committee will monitor the schools to ensure high standards and efficient operations.

The road ahead

The first six schools – three junior high and three senior high – are set to open for the 2025-26 academic year, with plans to expand to 12 or more schools in the following years. Anthony S. Papadimitriou, president of the Onassis Foundation, expressed a commitment to supporting, not replacing, the state, emphasizing that the initiative reflects their duty to contribute to Greece's future.

This initiative represents a significant step toward leveling the playing field in education, offering a glimpse of what public schools can achieve when innovation meets dedication.