Prime Minister Costas Karamanlis and Education Minister Marietta Giannakou gave out the first computers to 129 junior high school students who have excelled in Attica schools, during a special event held at the Benaki Museum on Sunday.

Speaking at the event, Karamanlis underscored the importance of the information society in staying abreast in the new era, citing Scandinavian countries as a prime example.

"To my surprise I discovered that Finland, a country which has revolutionized the sector, is at the cutting edge. It didn't perform a miracle. It did something we all have to do (...) It invested, as much as possible, in ensuring that its young people - and society as a whole as time passes - have access to modern tools," the prime minister noted.

"Let's not be fooled - the only great weapon we have is our knowledge; everything else comes and goes," he said.

He also stressed the value and significance of education and culture, describing them as "our main weapons and source of power."

Karamanlis stressed that the government is currently implementing a program aimed at making internet access cheap for college students and, at a later stage, for young adults in general.

On her part, Giannakou noted the important role of technology in education.
Referring to the specific initiative, she said giving out computers to students is a way of rewarding them for their excellent performance in school.

Computers will be distributed to other outstanding students throughout the country.

Source: Athens News Agency

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