With 64 schools, the Ministry of Education continues the operation of the Summer Public Schools (PPS) program this year. The aim of the program is to offer learning and creative employment opportunities, especially to children from vulnerable groups of the population and during the summer period.
Specifically, this year the TDS will operate from June 22 to July 24 and will be 39 primary schools and 25 kindergartens, which will cover all five provinces.
Among the useful information provided for those interested is the start and end time of the program. As noted in the information given by the Ministry of Education, the TDS will operate for a total of 25 working days, from 7:45 a.m. – 1:05 p.m. daily or until 4:00 p.m., for those children who choose to extend their studies.
Only children who attend public primary schools in grades A and E in the current school year have the right to participate. Sixth grade children are not entitled to fill in a declaration of interest to participate, since they will receive a diploma from primary school on June 17.
In Summer Public Kindergartens, only children who attended public kindergartens and who were born between 01/09/2019 and 31/03/2021, as well as those children who attended the pre-primary class with suspension of attendance, have the right to participate.
In the FPS, priority is given to children of public primary schools and public kindergartens, who fall into specific categories:
>> Children under the protection/supervision of the Social Welfare Services, after presenting a relevant certificate.
>> Children whose parents/guardians are recipients of the Guaranteed Minimum Income, after presenting the relevant certificates.
>> Children from families whose annual family income does not exceed €20,000, after presenting the relevant certificates from the Social Insurance Services or the Annual Certificate of Earnings or the appropriate Unemployment Certificate.
>>Children with special needs who attend a Special Unit, by decision of the District Committee for Special Education and Training.
>> Children with severe or multiple disabilities.
>> Children from families whose annual family income during this period is between €20,001 – €30,000, after presenting the relevant certificates.
>> Orphaned children, single-parent families, large families (4 children or more) and children of five-member families.
>> Children from families whose annual family income is between €30,001 – €45,000, after presenting the relevant certificates.
Regarding the feeding of children, it is pointed out that they can carry their breakfast from home or buy it from the school canteen, where and where it will operate. "Canteens are considered the most ideal solution to deal with the increased risks that may arise during the transport of breakfast during the summer period," the relevant information of the Ministry states.
In addition, for those children who choose to stay after 1:05 p.m., they will be offered a meal from 1:05 p.m. until 1:45 p.m., while a prerequisite for offering a meal is the advance payment of the cost of meals to the school principal. It is emphasized that, for lunch, food is not allowed to be transported from home.
It is worth noting that in addition to the rest of the program followed in the TDS, the program "Teaching the Greek Language to Children with a Migrant Biography" is implemented during them, aiming to improve the learning level of students with a migrant biography, combining creative employment with language learning. Eligible are all children with an immigrant biography of all grades, who do not have a satisfactory command of the Greek language.
Parents' responsibility for the transfer to the MBS
Regarding the transportation of children who will attend the TDS, it is pointed out that it is the responsibility of their parents/guardians. This is because attendance at these schools is optional. However, the principals of the regional schools, who will accept children's applications for attendance at the regional MBT, are invited to, upon completion of the registrations, prepare a separate list stating the number of students (per community) whose municipality or community of residence is included in the specific regional school and use the bus, for transport purposes.
Implementation of summer school in Special Schools as well
Besides, it is recalled that the Ministry of Education has proceeded since the previous school year to expand the institution of the Summer Public School, so that it can be universally applied to Special Schools. As he notes, the program aims to offer learning opportunities and creative activities to children.
In Special Schools, the summer program will operate for a total of 30 working days, specifically from June 22 to July 31, 2026.
On a daily basis, the program will last from 7:45 a.m. until 1:05 p.m. or until 4:00 p.m. (for those children who choose afternoon attendance) and only children who attend the specific Special Schools this school year have the right to participate.
According to the information given, the coordinating role for the school assistants/escorts and the supervisors of the THDES (Summer Public Special Schools) will continue to be held by the relevant School Boards.
Regarding the feeding of the children of the TDES, it is noted that the children will receive free breakfast at school. For those children who choose to stay after 1:05 p.m., they will be offered a free meal from 1:05 p.m. to 1:45 p.m. Information on the type of meal will be provided by the management of each THS, while the diet that will be offered to the children is approved by a competent committee of the Ministry of Education based on the special conditions of the THAS. It is emphasized that, for lunch, food is not allowed to be transported from home.
It is also stated that parents/guardians, who will register for their child's participation in the program, will not have a financial burden for the transportation of children to their schools.
They are also informed that the program that will be implemented is similar to the program of the Special Optional All-Day School, adapted to the needs of the children who will register and the infrastructure of the schools.
