Athens News Agency: News in English, 09-07-14

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From: The Athens News Agency at <http://www.ana.gr/>

CONTENTS

[01] PM briefed on planned education reforms

[02] Papandreou slams government for 'lawlessness'

[01] PM briefed on planned education reforms

Spiliotopoulos expressed satisfaction because "the political forces and education community officials participating in the dialogue have risen to the occasion, displaying responsibility and consistency and ensuring tangible results." He underlined that "the goal is to observe the timetable set and reach to a point where school education will not be linked with admission to university."

"The goal is to have a flexible curriculum that meets current social needs, while allowing more creative time for schoolchildren," Spiliotopoulos said.

On his part, Professor Babiniotis pointed out that the education system will be reformed so that there is less subject matter, new teaching methods and books that will offer general knowledge to the students, underlining that "we want quality in education."

Babiniotis stated that the goal is to relieve the students and their families of the stress of failure, while giving them more opportunities to be admitted to tertiary education. He also referred to the upgrading of the technical, vocational education and training and to the implementation of teacher evaluation, as well as evaluation of the education system and school units.

Caption: ANA-MPA file photo of Prime Minister Costas Karamanlis (L) and Education Minister Aris Spiliotopoulos (R).

[02] Papandreou slams government for 'lawlessness'

He accused the government of "lawlessness and impunity", of making "uncalculated and erratic decisions" in a state of panic and of "lacking a vision for the citizens".

PASOK's leader also referred to the Symi Symposium, noting that the party was not complacent about its own policy plans but was subjecting them to the scrutiny of some of the finest and most progressive minds in the world, who would help solve problems in terms of green development and allow Greece to move forward for a better democratic government of the country.

The 12th Symi Symposium taking place on the Aegean island of Skiathos, debated on Monday the current world economic crisis in its global, European and Greek aspects.

Economist Joseph Stiglitz analysed the global aspect of the crisis, former Swedish minister Leif Pagrotsky focused on the European aspect, while Greece's main opposition PASOK economic rapporteur Louka Katseli referred to present Greek economic and political realities.

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