The new university admission system with the National Graduation Diploma is officially set in motion following today’s meeting at the Maximos Mansion under the presidency of Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis. The reform aims to substantially upgrade the role of High School, enabling it to acquire educational weight rather than simply serving as an antechamber to national university entrance exams. Simultaneously, the foundations are being laid for launching national dialogue with the educational community and political parties.
When the National Graduation Diploma begins
According to the government plan announced by Education Minister Sofia Zacharaki, the National Graduation Diploma will be implemented starting from the 2027-2028 school year. The new system will initially apply to first-year high school students, while the transition will be carried out gradually to ensure smooth adaptation for both students and educators to the new conditions.
The Prime Minister had pre-announced the changes from the podium of the Thessaloniki International Fair in September, emphasizing the need to strengthen high school as an educational institution with substantial content.
National dialogue timeline
The national dialogue on the National Graduation Diploma is expected to begin within February, with invitations to parties and the educational community being sent in the coming hours. The Ministry of Education aims to complete the dialogue within the next quarter.
Meanwhile, a legislative preparatory committee has already been established to elaborate the institutional pillars of the reform. The three basic institutional pillars include creating the National Examination Authority, the National Assessment Body, and the new Question Bank.
Changes for university admission
The reform for university admission is not limited exclusively to examinations but concerns the educational system as a whole. As the Education Minister emphasized, the main goal is to provide more space for substantial learning and strengthen high school’s role in shaping well-rounded personalities.
The ministry’s proposal is based on five pillars that ensure a holistic approach to education: Educational content with a common core of knowledge and skills for all children, school life as a learning community and personality development space, unified and continuous teacher training, school and digital infrastructure ensuring equal opportunities regardless of geographical location, and system governance with clear roles and accountability.
Reform objectives
The new tertiary education admission system seeks to transform high school from a simple preparatory stage into a space of substantial learning. The reform aims to create an educational system that promotes equal participation, comprehensive development, and skill acquisition that goes beyond simple exam preparation.
With institutional continuity and participation of all involved stakeholders in the national dialogue, the Ministry of Education targets a reform that will ensure equal opportunities and quality education for every student, regardless of background.
