Brussels, 18/03/2014 (Agence Europe) - In a resolution unanimously adopted on 18 March, the European Parliament's culture and education committee advocated the use of new technologies and the internet to acquire knowledge and complement traditional teaching. The text formulates recommendations for promoting quality distance learning by developing freely available multilingual materials. MEPs consider that innovative teaching methods are essential for preparing young people for the challenges of the digital society and the needs of the labour market. Catalin Sorin Ivan, the rapporteur (S&D, Romania) sidd that “freely accessible teaching and educational resources are the future for education… We have to support this digital transition by introducing new subjects in school programmes and new teaching methods”. By 2020, 90% of jobs will require digital skills but, although teachers are responsible for training young people, only 30% of them feel at ease in the digital environment. MEPs therefore call on member states to help teachers improve their skills in this area by proposing modern programme courses as part of their basic and continuous training to help them acquire the necessary high level of digital competence. Member states should also make use of European structural funds to help improve digital infrastructure, particularly in isolated regions, so that as many people as possible can benefit from these new educational resources at a low cost. The EU must also take initiatives to ensure the quality of online programme content and the recognition of skills acquired through these programmes. (IL)