Filenews 4 January 2024
The gradual expansion of free compulsory preschool education from the age of four has been approved today by the Cabinet.
The project will be implemented in seven phases, commencing from the upcoming school year and concluding by the academic year 2031-2032.
It will take place within the framework of the National Recovery and Resilience Plan.
According to the decision, starting from the next school year, children who have reached the age of 4 years and 6 months by September 1, 2024, will be included in compulsory preschool education.
In each subsequent year-phase, the mandatory age for preschool attendance will decrease by one month.
Therefore, in the 2025-2026 academic year, the child must be 4 years and 5 months old by September 1, 2025, and so on.
Education Minister Athina Michailidou, in her statements, emphasized the significant educational value of this decision.
She explained that all children will have the opportunity for two years of free attendance in preschool education.
Ms. Michailidou also addressed the social benefits of the project, highlighting the liberation of families, enabling both fathers and mothers to enter the job market.
She reminded, in parallel, that the compulsory attendance age for preschool is 4 years and 8 months.
