Old-fashioned blackboards will soon be a thing of the past at Greek schools, according to measures due to be announced today by the government aimed at improving the teaching environment for the country’s youngsters.

Sources said that one of the proposals that will be announced by Education Minister Anna Diamantopoulou will be the introduction of interactive whiteboards (wall-mounted displays which connect to a computer or projector) in schools.

The practice of classes focusing on a single textbook will also change as Diamantopoulou wants children to be encouraged to use other sources, such as the Internet. Pupils will additionally receive more intensive schooling in information technology and foreign languages. There will also be an emphasis on youngsters being encouraged to develop critical thinking as opposed to rote learning.