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Athens News Agency: News in English, 09-03-11
CONTENTS
[01] Nat'l dialogue on education begins
[02] Cypriot exhibition of antiquities
[03] Greek stocks end 0.85% down
[01] Nat'l dialogue on education begins
A closely watched "national dialogue<font size="3" face="Times New
Roman">" by the government and political parties<font size="3"
face="Times New Roman Greek"> on education<font size="3" face="Times
New Roman"> reforms<font size="3" face="Times New Roman Greek"> was
formally launched at the Zappeion Hall in <font size="3" face="Times
New Roman">central <font size="3" face="Times New Roman Greek">Athens
on Wednesday<font size="3" face="Times New Roman">, with the absence of
the <font size="3" face="Times New Roman Greek">Communist Party of
Greece (KKE), <font size="3" face="Times New Roman">the <font size="3"
face="Times New Roman Greek">Radical Left Coalition (SYRIZA) and
representatives<font size="3" face="Times New Roman"> of educators'
unions. Launching the proceedings, Education Minister Aris
Spiliotopoulos reiterated that "there is no expediency, political party
rivalry or pre-ordained<font size="3" face="Times New Roman Greek">
decisions<font size="3" face="Times New Roman"> ... <font size="3"
face="Times New Roman Greek">Achieving broad political and social
consensus on the suggested solutions considering that they are close to
reality, well-documented and long-lasting, is a realistic target<font
size="3" face="Times New Roman">."<font size="3" face="Times New Roman
Greek">. Referring to secondary education sector<font size="3"
face="Times New Roman Greek">, the minister stated that the goal is to
make the <font size="3" face="Times New Roman">high school<font
size="3" face="Times New Roman Greek"> an <font size="3" face="Times
New Roman">"<font size="3" face="Times New Roman Greek">autonomous
education<font size="3" face="Times New Roman">al unit"<font size="3"
face="Times New Roman Greek"> with a complete syllabus, adding that
curriculum should be cut to include only a few mandatory courses and
more <font size="3" face="Times New Roman">electives.<font size="3"
face="Times New Roman Greek"> As regards the university admission
exams, he underlined that the goal is to ensure the<font size="3"
face="Times New Roman Greek"> mass access to tertiary education, equal
university access opportunities for all, <font size="3" face="Times New
Roman">a reliable examination system, involvement of university
institutions in student selection, and the <font size="3" face="Times
New Roman Greek">gradual elimination of substitute education. Primary
and Secondary Education Council President Prof.<font size="3"
face="Times New Roman Greek"> George Babiniotis stressed that the daily
agenda of dialogue will not be binding <font size="3" face="Times New
Roman">or have no specific timetable, pointing out that discussions
will last at least six months.
[02] Cypriot exhibition of antiquities
NICOSIA (ANA-MPA) -- Cyprus President Demetris Christofias <font
size="3" face="Times New Roman">will arrive in<font size="3"
face="Times New Roman Greek"> Athens on March 18 to inaugurate a<font
size="3" face="Times New Roman">n exhibition <font size="3" face="Times
New Roman Greek">of Cypriot antiquities at the National Archaeological
Museum <font size="3" face="Times New Roman">in Athens, <font size="3"
face="Times New Roman Greek">together with Greek President Karolos
Papoulias. A total of 250 artifacts<font size="3" face="Times New
Roman Greek">, covering the entire spectrum of Cypriot antiquity and
highlighting the unity of <font size="3" face="Times New
Roman">Hellenic <font size="3" face="Times New Roman Greek">civili<font
size="3" face="Times New Roman">sation, will constitute one of the
permanent collections of the museum. Audio-visual material available to
visitors will offer additional information on Cypriot antiquity.
Caption: ANA-MPA
[03] Greek stocks end 0.85% down
Greek stocks ended lower in the Athens Stock Exchange on Wednesday as
investors took profits after Tuesday's spectacular advance. The
composite index of the market fell 0.85 pct to end at 1,538.17 points,
with turnover an improved 156.6 million euros, of which 21.3 million
euros were block trades.
Most sectors moved lower, with the Health (3.48 pct), Utilities (2.93
pct) and Raw Materials (2.71 pct) suffering the heaviest percentage
losses of the day, while Telecommunications (2.45 pct), Oil (1.34 pct)
and Food/Beverage (1.34 pct) scored gains.
The FTSE 20 index fell 1.05 pct, the FTSE 40 index ended 0.80 pct down
and the FTSE 80 index eased 0.40 pct. Broadly, advancers led decliners
by 112 to 90 with another 55 issues unchanged.
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