Niki Kerameus

Greek schools, which closed on March 11 as part of the government's response to the coronavirus pandemic, are expected to start reopening on May 11 gradually, Kathimerini understands, starting with senior high pupils who must prepare for university entrance examinations in June.

Greece's Minister of Education Niki Kerameus said that the government does not plan to use an afternoon shift in schools when they reopen.

Some experts that advised that students return to schools in morning and afternoon shifts to ease congestion.

A government bill aiming to overhaul public education, with more school hours for foreign languages and information technology and English lessons in kindergarten, was unveiled on Wednesday by Education Minister Niki Kerameus.

A draft bill by the ministry of education introducing changes to school curricula and universities was posted on Wednesday for public consultation on government portal opengov.gr.

The nationwide exams for entrance into Greece's state universities, also known as the Panhellenic exams, will start in June, Education Minister Niki Kerameus said Wednesday.

She said the exams will be completed by mid July.

Kerameus said no decision has been made yet on reopening the country's schools which were shut down to prevent the spread of the novel coronavirus.

Schools, universities and all other educational institutions, both state and private, will remain closed until at least May 10 as part of the government's ongoing response to the coronavirus pandemic, the Education Ministry said on Friday. 

Initially announced on March 11, the closure had been due to end on April 27 but has been extended as a precaution. 

Education Minister Niki Kerameus confirmed Thursday that senior high school pupils studying for university entrance examinations this year will only be tested on the material that had been taught up until March 11, when the government ordered the closure of all schools to curb the spread of the coronavirus.

Greece's Education Ministry said Friday that it will extend the period during which schools and universities will have to remain closed due to the coronavirus pandemic.

The closure is now extended until May 10.

The decision was made on the recommendation of the expert committee advising the government on its response to Covid-19.

Education Minister Niki Kerameus and Digital Governance Minister Kyriakos Pierrakakis have secured zero-rating cellphone access to government platforms being used for distance learning by schools during the coronavirus pandemic, the Education Ministry announced on Monday.

Nationwide university entry exams may be held in July, Education Minister Niki Kerameus said on Saturday in an interview with Parapolitika newspaper.

The main aim of the education ministry is for the exams to be held as close as possible to the usual dates, which is in June, she said.

Regarding universities, she said she was confident that students will not lose the semester.