Athens News Agency: News in English, 06-09-28

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

CONTENTS

[01] 'Reforms in education will go ahead', PM Karamanlis tells ND deputies

[01] 'Reforms in education will go ahead', PM Karamanlis tells ND deputies

"We have committed ourselves for changes in education and we are going ahead with them," the prime minister, who hosted a dinner for New Democracy (ND) party deputies, said.

"In an economy with specific endurances, the government has secured the subsidy which it committed itself in giving to teachers, thus satisfying a long-term demand of theirs," Karamanlis noted.

"What is important is for the reforms, which are supported by the overwhelming majority of Greek citizens, to proceed," Karamanlis concluded.

Government spokesman

Commenting on an ongoing teachers' strike now nearing its second week, government spokesman Theodoros Roussopoulos on Thursday said that there were no plans for a meeting between Prime Minister Costas Karamanlis and striking teachers.

"Education Minister Marietta Yiannakou has already met with teachers and it is known to all that the government intends to pay out the �105 benefit," Roussopoulos said.

Primary school and kindergarten eachers are now in the midst of a second five-week strike held to demand an increase in the pay of newly appointed teachers to �1450 from �950 at present and the immediate payment of the �105 benefit, which the government has promised to pay out in half-year installments over the next three years.

PASOK spokesman

Main opposition Panhellenic Socialist Movement (PASOK) spokesman Nikos Athanassakis on Thursday night referred to the ongoing strike by teachers.

"Tomorrow sees the completion of the second week of schools shut, with pupils inconvenienced, with thousands of families inconvenienced, with the education process being in suspension, with responsibility of the government which had undertaken specific committments, had given specific promises which it did not keep," Athanassakis said.

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