Greeks riot over university reform

ATHENS, Greece, Jan. 18 (UPI) -- Tension simmered Thursday among university students in Athens following a day of violent protests over government reforms to recognize private schools.

An estimated 9,000 students and teachers marched through the city Wednesday, and riot police were deployed, the Kathimerini news service reported. Masked students began throwing rocks and gasoline bottle-bombs. Several cars were torched and police responded with tear gas, although no arrests were reported.

The protest was over government plans to amend the constitution to allow private schools to open and operate and have fully recognized degrees.

That has angered teachers and students, who claim both the funding and quality of education would be diluted, a BBC correspondent in Athens reported.

The only reported injury was one policeman who sustained minor burns, the report said.