The educational policy of the Greek government rests on the basic assumption that education is a social good and something to which every citizen has a right. The state has an obligation to ensure this provision for every young person with the same level and quality of preparation. This brief but full description of the state educational system endeavors to give practical effect to the provisions on education in the Greek Constitution. A special chapter deals with the effects of the recent changes on the private education sector. Further chapters provide a summary of the Ministry's positions regarding special education, the movement of young people into working life, the education of the children of Greek migrant workers, and the education of children from foreign countries. (BZ)