Personalised education for displaced young people

The new year brings renewed energy as we launch the Spring term at Gekko, alongside new learning opportunities for our displaced students and continued collaboration across our dedicated team. Interest in Gekko’s programmes remains high, highlighting a persistent gap in the educational provision available to displaced learners. Notably, a significant proportion of 71.5% of the Spring term applicants are returning Gekko students, reflecting both sustained need and trust in our educational support. Within the first weeks of the Spring term, 163 students are actively attending classes at Gekko, revealing the success of the recently completed Fall term.

In the Fall term (Sept-Dec 2025), Gekko remained focused on providing learning opportunities that complement formal schooling while building practical and vocational readiness for displaced teenagers and adults. Many of our learners have experienced disrupted education and continue to face significant barriers to accessing legal employment and further education in Greece. In addition to Gekko’s core subjects of Greek, English, and computer skills, the 2025/26 academic year includes certification pathways through IELTS (English) and ECDL (computer skills). Overall, in Fall term, 209 students enrolled across courses, with an average attendance rate of 68%.

School Support: A much-needed service

A documented gap in educational provision in Athens disproportionately affects displaced junior high and high school students, particularly those facing language barriers within the public education system. Many struggle to follow the national curriculum, leading to demotivation, irregular attendance, and, in some cases, school dropout.

To address this gap, Gekko runs the School Support project, ensuring that young learners receive homeschooling support and targeted tutorials aligned with the public education curriculum. The project supports students aged 12–18 through daily, individualized instruction, homework assistance, and academic guidance, using teaching methods adapted to displaced learners. Since September 2025, 44 students have improved their overall school performance, particularly in Greek Literature, Ancient Greek Language and Literature, History, Math, Physics, Chemistry and Geography. In line with the public education calendar, the project also provides support during examination periods.

As we enter the new year, your support allows Gekko to continue delivering responsive education where it is needed most, supporting displaced students to move forward with confidence and purpose. Thank you for being part of this journey.

With gratitude, 

The Better Days team