The Greek government is formally opening discussions on a major reform of the country’s secondary education system, centered on the introduction of a new National Diploma that would significantly change how students graduate from high school and gain admission to universities.
Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis is chairing a high-level meeting Tuesday at the Maximos Mansion in Athens, marking the start of what officials describe as a national dialogue on the reform. The meeting also includes Deputy Prime Minister Kostis Hatzidakis and Education Minister Sofia Zacharaki.
Mitsotakis first outlined the proposal last September during his keynote address at the Thessaloniki International Fair, an annual event where Greek leaders traditionally announce major policy initiatives. He described the establishment of a National Diploma as one of the government’s key reform challenges, arguing that it would restore the standing of high school as an independent and meaningful stage of education rather than simply a gateway to university entrance exams.
At the heart of the proposal is a shift away from a system dominated by a single set of nationwide university entrance tests. Instead, students’ performance throughout their three years of high school would play a central role in determining both graduation and access to higher education.
Education Minister Zacharaki has indicated that the new admissions framework could take effect in the 2027-28 academic year, applying to students who enter their first year of high school under the revised system. In a recent interview, she said February would mark the official launch of a broad national consultation process. A legislative drafting committee has already been set up to prepare the legal framework for the reform, including the creation of a National Examinations Authority, a national body of evaluators and a revamped centralized question bank for exams.
According to the minister, the reform is built around five broad objectives: strengthening the curriculum so that all students share a solid common foundation of knowledge and skills; improving school life so that education extends beyond textbooks and testing; enhancing teacher training through continuous professional support; upgrading school and digital infrastructure to ensure equal opportunities across the country; and clarifying governance structures to promote accountability and institutional continuity.
The draft plan, which is expected to be submitted for public consultation soon, introduces substantial changes to both in-school exams and university admissions. Under the proposal that is being reported by Proto Thema, promotion exams in the first two years of high school would draw all questions by lottery from a national question bank, a measure aimed at standardizing assessment. The current Minimum Admission Base, introduced under former Education Minister Niki Kerameus, would be abolished, as officials argue it would no longer be necessary under the new model.
To qualify for consideration for university admission, students would need to achieve a minimum score of 10 on the National Diploma. Admission to higher education institutions would be based on a combined score that includes the overall National Diploma grade — weighted progressively across the three years of high school at 20% for the first year, 30% for the second and 50% for the final year — as well as performance on separate nationwide graduation exams in four subjects, depending on each student’s academic track. The subject weightings set by individual university departments would continue to apply.
Zacharaki has also said she intends to invite university rectors, deans and department heads to submit proposals aimed at strengthening the role of universities in shaping admission criteria, potentially giving higher education institutions a more direct say in the process.
