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Session code: 4-3-A203

Title: How do contemporary teachers respond to the challenges of multiculturality in Greek primary schools today?

Contributer/s: AMALIA CHATZINIKOLAOU, YIANNIS ROUSSAKIS

Abstract : Since the 1970's Greek society has witnessed a remarkable shift. From a nation of emigrants, Greece has turned into a host country for immigrants. The phenomenon reached a peak in the 1990's when hundreds of thousands of mainly economic immigrants settled down in Greece followed by their families shortly after.

Their numerous presence added to repatriated Greeks, gypsies and religious minorities have affected the status quo ante of Greek schools dramatically.

What are the teachers' notions about the new reality all these changes have brought about in the micro level of their class? Do they implement new methods in order to promote the inclusion of students regardless of their cultural background? How do they actually deal with their students' diversity?

The purpose of this research is to record the answers teachers give to some of these questions. The sample consists of primary school teachers from the county of Attica, where almost 40% of the population of Greece live.

Among others, the variables of sex, age, teaching experience, and further studies are examined in relation to teachers' attitudes and teaching methods used.

The results of this research will be useful firstly, to get a fair idea of how things are in contemporary Greek schools as far as the implementation of the principles of multicultural Education is concerned and secondly, to find out how well teachers are informed about. Further more, it aims at recording whether the diversity of students affects the attitudes of their teachers towards them.