Principles of economic theory: an anachronistic school textbook in Greek educational system?

Abstract

In the Greek educational system, students of the third grade of general and vocational high schools, who wish to enter higher education institutions with an economic orientation, must choose the scientific field "economics and computer sciences". In this field, one of the most important subjects examined is 'Principles of Economic Theory'. It was introduced in the panhellenic examinations in 2000 and is still in existence today. The textbook of the course has not undergone any changes and according to many economists it contains anachronistic information and knowledge. In this context, the Greek Ministry of Education decided to introduce a new course entitled "Principles of Economic Science" from the school year 2025-2026 and consequently to write an updated textbook. In this paper we evaluate the adequacy of the old textbook to determine, on the one hand, whether the change in the curriculum was necessary and, on the other hand, whether its replacement in secondary education was correct. Through descriptive statistics and inferential testing and using the prefecture of Rethymno, Crete, as a case study, we cross-check the attitudes of students and economics teachers towards the textbook, to draw our conclusions.

Keywords

• panhellenic examinations
• school textbook "principles of economic theory"
• evaluation method