In May, the certification process for IB in 13 public schools will be completed, according to Education Minister Sofia Zacharaki.

She also stressed that admission to public universities will be exclusively through the Panhellenic exams.

“For the first time we are moving from theoretical provision to practice, integrating the International Baccalaureate into public schools with clear conditions and a specific timetable. The accreditation of the first 13 schools is expected by May and the goal is to launch the programme in September 2026. I believe this is an important step towards an even more outward-looking, modern and high-quality public education system. And, of course, there is no talk of joining the public university through IB. In the public universities of the country, admission is only through the Panhellenic Examination, and you know this very well.”

This was underlined by the Minister, speaking at the relevant committee of the House of Representatives where the debate on the bill for the creation of the Higher School of Performing Arts began, which includes a regulation related to IB.

Zaharaki: “We are not now bringing IB into the public school as an unknown or new title”

“We are not now bringing IB into public school as an unknown or new title. The International Baccalaureate is already provided for in the law. 2327/1995 as a title equivalent to the high school diploma. What we are doing today is something different and much more substantial. We are putting into practice the possibility of implementing this framework within public education, with specific conditions for organisation, staffing and certification”, the Minister noted.

It is recalled that thirteen candidate schools in Athens, Thessaloniki, Volos and Heraklion have already been selected, and the relevant training of teachers has been carried out.

The 13 candidate schools are:

Attica

Athens Music School
Athens Art School
Music School of Pallini
Standard High School of Anavryta
Standard High School of Ag. Anargyron
Standard High School of Varvakeion
Standard High School of the Evangelical School of Smyrna
Standard GEL Ionidioeiou

THESSALONIKH

1st Standard High School Manolis Andronikos
Experimental Lyceum of the University of Macedonia
Thessaloniki Music School
VOLOS

Volos Music School

HERAKLEIO

Template of Heraklion High School

The timetable foresees:

April: Completion of the application process for the 13 schools for certification and submission of applications
May: Certification visits to schools
By the end of June, final decisions by the International Baccalaureate Organization
September: Operation of certified schools

APE MPE