Little is known about young refugees’ post-compulsory educational trajectories in Greece, despite high numbers of teenagers continuing to arrive and integration policies being implemented. While access to education has been increasing since 2015, enrolment and attendance rates for 15- to 18-year-olds remain low and drop-out rates are high. Based on findings from a doctoral study, this chapter explores the macro-level factors – relating primarily to policy and organisation – which constrain and enable this age group’s participation in post-compulsory learning. Data was generated through semi-structured interviews with refugee youth, their parents, their teachers and other education stakeholders, and triangulated via document analysis and participant observation as a volunteer teacher in the region. The key challenges identified related to coordination, preparation (of staff and students), segregation and the impact of uncertainty and poor reception conditions. The ways forward proposed by participants included promoting training, flexibility, alternative routes and a holistic and cohesive response. © 2024 selection and editorial matter, Karolina Sobczak-Szelc, Marta Pachocka, and Justyna Szalanska.

DOI: 10.4324/9781003228967-5

ISBN: 9781003814573; 9781032116662