About 200 students took to the streets of the Greek capital to protest over the government's austerity plans which include education cuts.

Many will also see their families affected by other savings like wage reductions and job losses.

Riot police pushed the students away from the parliament building in Athens during the demonstration on Saturday.

Inside ministers discussed the implementation of the cuts demanded by the European Union and International Monetary Fund in return for 170 billion dollar rescue package.

The Greek cabinet on Saturday agreed a debt swap for private creditors to accompany the cutbacks.

It will mean a 70 per cent drop in the real value of creditors' holdings.

Ministers are hoping euro zone finance ministers will finally endorse the bail-out plan on Monday after months of acrimonious negotiations.

SOUNDBITE: Evi Christofilipoulou, Deputy Education Minister, saying (English):

"We are very positive. It's about time. We are willing, I hope they are too."

SOUNDBITE: Anna Diamantopoulou, Education Minister, saying (English):

"There was an agreement on all important issues so I believe the minister of economics will be full of good news in the euro council, the euro group meeting tomorrow."

Greece needs the first payout of the bail-out package to avoid bankruptcy next month when major debt repayments fall due.

Paul Chapman, Reuters