Can the Clubs finally ‘lift the rock’? Assessing the Sustainability of Reform in Greek Education System

Konstantinos Karampelas

Abstract


This study focuses on a new institution implemented in the Greek education system. Known as ‘clubs’, this innovation addresses pupils who have a talent and special interest in a particular subject. The research context is a primary school in Greece, where clubs were run during the last three years. The literature shows, however, that reforms are not easily implemented in established educational contexts and the Greek education system is no exception. The main barriers to reform are school structure and culture.  Through a qualitative approach, the study explores whether this innovation can be sustainable in this particular context, by answering three basic research questions: 1) Is there acceptance of the need for the clubs by the members of the education community?, 2) Are the school structures assisting in the implementation of the reform?, 3) Is the existing evaluation procedure adequate to support educators in their efforts to improve the clubs’ function in future?  The findings show that the reform can be implemented despite the challenges presented by the school context.

 


Keywords


Gifted and Talented Education, Innovation, Evaluation,

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