The permanent exhibition occupies 2 floors and takes you on a journey of education in Greece with exhibits from the 19th and 20th centuries.
As you walk through the entrance, there is an open courtyard full of flowering plants, and benches where you can sit and admire the building, built in 1850. The atmosphere of the school is recreated outside with the large blackboard hanging on a wall, children’s drawings and an old desk.
As you walk up the stairs and go in, there is a gift shop on your left with souvenirs, posters, toys and books. The rooms on the first floor with the exquisitely painted and preserved ceilings, display school books that cover 3 centuries, from the 17th right up to the 20th century , among them alphabet books from 1827 and Aesope’s Fables in Greek and Latin. All along the walls are panels and timelines delineating important highlights in the history of education in Greece. Successive historical periods see political influences and historic events that influenced the efforts to establish elementary education, the uniformity of school books, the founding of kindergartens, co-educational teaching, and the resolution of the linguistic battle in establishing the demotic as the official language in schools. Thematic aspects of education are touched upon such as teachers’ responsibilities, school uniforms, school desks and supplies, and school punishment.
On the second floor you will find the toys, materials and uniforms that constituted a kindergarten, a representation of a typical classroom of the 1950’s, and a big projection screen with chairs for educational programs.
Visiting hours are Tuesday-Friday from 10am-6pm and Saturday-Sunday from 11am-7pm.
Admission fee is €3. Teachers and children under 12 have free entrance.
Special educational courses and guided tours in English can be arranged upon request. The Museum also conducts tours of the monuments of the historical center of Athens.
Further information can be found on www.ekedisy.gr or by calling +30 2103250341.
Cover Photo Credits: Athens Insiders
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