1 Discussing the Secularity of Greek State-Mandated Educational Requirements: An Analysis of Primary to High School Education Christos Manesiotis Economics & Political Science student, New York University Abu Dhabi cm6200@nyu.edu May 2023 Abstract This paper investigates the extent to which Greek state-mandated educational requirements, from primary to high school, align with the principles of secularity. By focusing primarily on the mandatory Religious Education class (RE) and its impact on the secular nature of Greek education, the paper examines the concept of secularism, the religious background of Greece and the constitutional framework governing religion and religious freedom. The paper analyses the RE curriculum, the widely observed practices of morning prayer and liturgy attendance, the available exemption clause, and the special accommo- dations for the Muslim minority in Thrace. After meticulously examining Greek history, laws and educational practices, the paper identifies significant progress toward a more inclusive, secular education system in recent years. Having concluded its review of the religious nature of various school practices, the paper positions Greek state-mandated educational requirements in the spectrum of secularism, opening the way for policymakers and stakeholders to make informed decisions and promote further change while also adding to the limited existing literature on the topic. After this comprehensive analysis, the paper gathers that while the Greek educational system has made significant strides toward a more secular direction, challenges and areas for improvement remain, indicating that educational secularity is yet to be reached. Keywords: Greek Educational System, Secularism and Education, Modern Greek Politics 1. Introduction This research paper analyzes the extent of secularity of the state-mandated educational requirements present from primary to high school in all Greek schools, particularly em- phasizing the mandatory Religious Education class (hereafter referred to as RE) and its effect on education's secular or non- secular nature. The leading research question consequently asks, “Are Greek state-mandated educational requirements from primary to high school secular?”. To answer this ques- tion, the paper will first define secularism and expand on the meaning behind the term “secular education” and then present a detailed examination of the Eastern Orthodox Christian background of the country, the role of the Church in influenc- ing state affairs and, in particular, education, the Muslim mi- norities present in the northern part of the country and the constitutional/legal framework regarding religion and reli- gious freedom. Having defined the necessary terms and established a historical framework about the role of and conflicts around religion in Greece, the paper will closely examine the RE cur- riculum and other state-mandated religious practices in schools and, most importantly, inspect the newly added RE exemption clause. Furthermore, the discussion will combine all these, reaching a consensus about the extent of secularity of the state-mandated educational requirements. By doing so, the distance between the current state in which the Greek ed- ucational system finds itself in terms of secularism and an ideal model of secular education will be “calculated,” provid- ing the reader with a comprehensive answer to the research question.