Day 22 - Vocational visits in Preveza

Today we made a visit together to the education centre in Preveza. We had already learned many things through our visits to both the Primary sector and universities but we were looking forward to finding out more from the secondary sector. Our guide was Lambrini, a retired secondary school principal.

The education offices are located adjacent to a Lyceum. The building is relatively new and is positioned on the outskirts of Preveza. We met up with Kostas who works as an administrator in the offices but also teaches History 2 days each week. We were curious about the differences between the English and Greek systems of education.



Kostas answered all our questions. He explained some of the difficulties of integrating the children of immigrant Albanians.He outlined the education structure from the Ministry based in Athens to the regions and Prefectures. Students in Lyceum study many subjects and the entrance testing for university entrance are difficult. Most students take classes in the private sector during afternoon to improve their language skills.

We were shown around a regional science centre where students visit to experience high technology lessons in Physics, Chemistry and Biology.


At the end of the visit Lambrini drove us to a site overlooking the Gulf of Amvrakikos where we could see silver pelicans flying. It is a bird sanctuary where birds gather as they migrate across Europe.



This evening we were invited to visit a language school. Most children in Greece are paid for by their parents to spend up to three hours each week improving their use of English. In this school we met the Head Teacher, asked many questions and spoke with a small class of students. We enjoyed the visit and increased our understanding of why Greek children are so good at speaking English.

Jon visited Theatre Workshop Preveza and met one of their directors, Lily. The group had been formed 10 years prior and were settling into their new venue which is a converted military base. Jon talked with her about their membership and ticket policy and their programme which has included plays from Spain, Greece and England. They has recently mounted A Midsummer Night's Dream and Jon tried to describe the double meaning of "ass", which doesn't work in a Greek translation.

Poster for A Midsummer Night's Dream:
Lily of the Theatre Workshop Preveza:

Later we met up with Rtn Aris. Aris took us for an evening drive to discover Preveza. It turned out to be one of the most enjoyable evenings we have spent so far in Greece. Aris showed us a view across the prefecture from the heights overlooking Nikopolis. He took us to the castle to see one of the most beautiful sunsets in Greece. He drove on to see the fishing boats on the Gulf of . Amvrakikos. We watched fire flies darting in the woodland and heard owls calling in the twilight. This is truely a very special part of Northern Greece. As each day passes we are bewitched by the beauty of the landscape and we enjoy the warmth of Rotarian hospitality once again. Thank you Aris for adding a comment to our blog and for welcoming us to Preveza.