This thesis critically investigates the role of shadow education within the neoliberal restructuring of secondary education in Greece, focusing on the rural region of Pella. Drawing on Bourdieu’s concepts of habitus, capital exchange, and particularly illusio, it explores how private tutoring (frontistiria and idietera) is legitimised as a necessary investment for academic success and social mobility. Grounded in a critical extension of Bourdieu’s theory, the study addresses a critical gap in the literature: the cultural normalisation of shadow education under neoliberal conditions, especially in contexts that still profess egalitarian educational ideals. This qualitative-driven, mixed-methods research integrates statistical analysis with in-depth interviews, involving 110 survey respondents and 24 semi-structured interviews with students and private tutors. The findings reveal that shadow education is not simply a response to institutional deficiencies but a product of ideological realignment. It shows how austerity, policy neglect, and the withdrawal of the state have allowed market forces to reframe education as a private responsibility. Through the concept of illusio, the study demonstrates how families internalise the belief that tutoring is indispensable, masking deeper inequities and reproducing class-based advantages. Empirically, the study offers one of the first in-depth accounts of shadow education in rural Greece, highlighting spatial and cultural dynamics often overlooked in urban-centric research. It contributes original insights into the ideological function of shadow education in post-crisis Greece and responds to international calls for research into its cultural legitimation. The thesis concludes by offering policy recommendations aimed at reducing reliance on tutoring and restoring equity within public secondary education.
Navigating the Shadows: Neoliberalism, Equity, and the Role of Shadow Education in Greek Secondary Education
Kamplitsis, A. (Author). 8 Aug 2025
Student thesis: Doctoral Thesis