[InTime News]
The draft bill for the Onassis-funded public school network was approved in principle by the parliamentary Cultural and Educational Affairs Committee.
Ruling party New Democracy supported the bill, while the opposition reserved its final stance for the plenary session. The Communist Party of Greece (KKE) and Nea Aristera opposed the bill from the start.
The Onassis-funded schools will operate under the Ministry of Education’s oversight, with the Onassis Foundation contributing to building upgrades and some operational costs. The schools will offer a curriculum similar to that of Greece’s model schools, with innovations linking them to universities and research centers.
The network will consist of 22 schools, including 11 middle schools and 11 high schools, located in socially and economically challenged areas, including parts of Athens, Thessaloniki, Kozani, Xanthi, Rhodes and Iraklio. The bill is set for a vote in the full parliament session on Wednesday.