Private schools gain over public
State schools are slipping rapidly behind private schools and their pupils gaining fewer places in universities, according to a recent survey that confirmed earlier fears that private school pupils were acquiring a definite advantage. A study of last year’s university entrance examinations by the Athens University of Economics and Business’s Institute for Statistical Research and Analysis found that more students from private schools were scoring top grades and getting better places in higher education establishments. Pupils in the smaller state schools were also at a distinct disadvantage. Last year, 11.56 percent of private school pupils scored higher than 19 out of the top possible score of 20, compared to 4.74 percent of state school leavers. There were similar differences between those scoring 15-19, with over half of private school pupils and 35.32 percent of pupils from state schools reaching these grades. Over half (57.74 percent) of all state school graduates last year had a score of less than 15, but only 34.64 percent of private school pupils. Also disappointing were the grades of pupils in the Cyclades and Ionian Islands, where the tourist industry is strong. Only 2.89 percent of school leavers in the Ionian islands achieved scores over 19. If these trends continue, within the space of a few years higher education will become the privilege of those with money – and under a socialist government. The survey, led by Professor Ioannis Panaretos, was carried out on the basis of 614 questionnaires returned by senior high school students in July 2001. Meanwhile, the survey also found that pupils from Thessaly and Epirus did better than their peers in other parts of the country, with 7.36 and 8.18 percent respectively scoring over 19. The lowest scores came from pupils in Thrace. The unprecedented number of high scorers in the 2000 entrance exams forced the Education Ministry to adopt stricter, more complex methods in last year’s exams, with questions that tested pupils critical thinking. As a result, more of them than in any previous year scored below 15. The researchers found that the only way to improve the university entrance system is to lay emphasis on certain subjects according to the requirements of specific university departments. In that way, university departments will have a clear picture of candidates’ knowledge and abilities. It would also solve to a great extent the problem that has arisen over the past two years since the introduction of the new system, in which thousands of students are accepted into faculties for which they are not really qualified. Size of institute A major factor appears to be the size of the school – the percentage of students scoring under 15 is inversely proportionate to the size of the school; larger schools have more top-scoring students. Smaller schools are usually in the smaller towns and villages, therefore many children from the provinces are migrating to the cities to finish their schooling and for the opportunity to attend now almost obligatory cramming colleges that do not exist in smaller centers. Over 68 percent of high school graduates from small high schools achieved a final score of less than 15 in 2001, compared to 60.8 percent in 2000.
