| 摘 要： | The current article deals with the issue of increased dropouts of deaf pupils from compulsory education （primary and junior high school） and tries to map out plausible reasons according to what principals and teachers for the deaf say, which might account for these reduced graduation rates for deaf pupils from primary dropouts. Official statistics are employed to demonstrate and junior high school. This data is collected through annual census surveys targeting all primary and secondary schools for the deaf, conducted by the National Statistical Service of Greece （NSSG）. Then, this paper tries to explore some of the possible reasons, which could be at the root of these increased dropout rates from primary and lower secondary schools, according to the accounts of principals and teachers for the deaf, who serve in schools for the deaf. Two types of questionnaire were employed, addressed to principals and teachers for the deaf, serving in schools for the deaf, one on one, and telephone interviews, with these two categories of respondent. Low graduation rates are associated with several factors, including inadequate coverage for schools for the deaf, the fact that Gymnasia do not operate everywhere there are primary schools for the deaf and the fact that often deaf pupils have to enrol in schools for the deaf only after suffering considerable delay can be partly attributed to the relative shortage of schools for the deaf. Other limitations include the inadequate use of hearing aids by pupils, associated with inadequate screening and assessment procedures; a lack of kindergartens and preschools for the deaf; and the relative shortage of speech therapists in schools for the deaf. In addition, teachers criticized the fact that the ＂whole-day＂ school initiative, which allows pupils to remain in school until 4 p.m. and have assistance with their homework, does not operate in the majority of schools for the deaf. In addition, the need to create books and teaching materials more tailored to deaf pupils＇ needs was mentioned, as well as inadequate or lack of teacher training in deaf pedagogy and Greek Sign Language. Findings are discussed in accordance with the international bibliography on this issue.
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