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- Ελληνικά
The Minister of Education, Sports and Youth, Mrs. Athena Michaelidou made statements to journalists today regarding a decision taken by the Council of Ministers on the extension of free compulsory pre-primary education from the age of four.
Specifically, Ms. Michaelidou said in her statements: "The Council of Ministers today approved our proposal to extend free compulsory pre-primary education from the age of four. This is a project of the National Development and Resilience Plan, for which efforts were also made by the previous administration to implement. The project, has great pedagogical value, as all our children will have the opportunity of two years of free pre-primary education, as the age limit is extended and we go down to four years. In addition to the pedagogical value of the project, a social benefit is also achieved, since parents/guardians are given the opportunity to integrate/reintegrate more smoothly into the labour market.
The proposal provides for free attendance in public and community kindergartens over a period of eight years, so it is being implemented gradually, starting from the next school year 2024-2025. Therefore, from the coming school year, the age limit is extended down to two months, so, compulsorily and free of charge, instead of four years and eight months, we will accept children in public and community kindergartens from four years and six months, and gradually, gradually we will reach four years.
The proposal will be submitted to the Parliament after the necessary consultation and we will also ask for the adoption of the amendment to the legislation there, so that we can give our children and families the opportunity to operate within a framework that is both pedagogically and socially beneficial.
Separately, in addition to this project, from 2025, the subsidy for the attendance of children who choose to attend private schools by the Ministry of Social Welfare continues and expands by age. Therefore, we are providing equal opportunities for all and we believe that with this proposal we are addressing and responding to the concerns that have existed in previous years.
I stress that we cannot delay any longer, because the Recovery and Resilience Plan is valid for two more years, until 2026, and we have managed, through this proposal, not to lose a single cent of the funds and at the same time to give importance to infrastructure. That is, some of these funds can be used for the expansion and improvement of kindergartens, "said the Minister of Education in conclusion.
IP
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