NEWS

Changes in schools brighten the prospects of some teachers

Changes in technical education and in primary and secondary school curricula are expanding once-limited opportunities for school teachers specializing in subjects such as languages, literature, physics, mathematics and geology. For years, graduates seeking teaching jobs in Greece’s primary or secondary schools have often had to wait almost two decades to get a tenured appointment. The table of appointments for the current school year shows that physics teachers are permanently appointed at an average age of 41 and mathematics teachers at 40. But the increase in the number of all-day primary schools, which boosted demand for teachers, has encouraged many graduates to sit the entrance exams for a place in teacher training courses. Both Education Ministry officials and Panhellenic Union of Substitute Teachers (PEA) President Ilias Vryonis foresee an improvement in the career prospects of many graduates who are not admitted by the ASEP staff selection council exams but work as substitute teachers (during which time they gain seniority points) in the following disciplines. General education. The abolition of technical senior high schools and their replacement by vocational senior high schools (which has been announced for the 2006-2007 school year) will boost demand for teachers of literature, mathematics and physics because the new schools will emphasize general education, so that any pupil who so desire can apply to university, and not only technical colleges as is currently the case. A detailed timetable of lessons has not yet been determined but it will certainly include more hours of languages, physics and mathematics. Language and literature. Teachers of language and literature have the most to gain from the changes because the increase in the number of hours devoted to Ancient Greek (up seven hours a week in junior and senior high school) will increase demand for a specialty which has in recent years seen a dramatic drop in interest among prospective university students. Graduates in that discipline have a disadvantage compared to mathematicians and physicists because almost the only related work they can get is teaching at schools or tuition colleges. Foreign languages. Teachers of foreign languages will also benefit. Following the pilot introduction of a second foreign language (in addition to English) in the fifth and sixth class at 210 primary schools, the measure is expected to be extended, which will benefit teachers of German and French. Of course it will take some time for teachers of those languages to be absorbed in the state school system, as the extra hour of Ancient Greek in junior high school will reduce the hours spent on the second foreign language from three to two a week. Home economics. There has been a surprising demand for teachers who have graduated in home economics from Harokopeio University. The subject is taught in junior high school and last year there was a shortage of teachers. While there was no increase in the number of posts, there were not enough teachers to fill the vacancies. The available teachers are appointed as substitutes for one year and are made permanent the following year. All-day primary schools have pepped up demand for teachers to take the subjects taught in the after-school program (such as English, music and theater). The problem is that those teachers are employed on a contract basis and not in regular, permanent positions. One question that arises is whether the Education Ministry will meet the growing need for teachers in the above subjects by making permanent appointments or – for lack of funds – accumulating more substitute teachers.

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