On Tuesday 14 April, the European Ministers of Education discussed, via videoconference, the continuity of learning during the coronavirus pandemic. As the European Commission prepares a roadmap on the lifting of confinement measures (see EUROPE 12466/2), they discussed how they planned to gradually reopen schools.
The meeting, which was also attended by representatives of Norway, Iceland and Switzerland, followed a first ministerial exchange of views in March on how to ensure the health and safety of learners and educational staff, while avoiding major disruption of educational services (see EUROPE 12445/4). However, the situation has changed significantly in one month, as many Member States have closed their institutions and offered distance learning services.
A way out of the crisis in sight
“In all EU Member States, schools are closed, except in Sweden, where nursery and primary schools are still operating”, Minister of Science and Education Blaženka Divjak told EUROPE. "Six or seven Member States plan to reopen the schools in mid or late April, seven or eight others consider doing so in May, while the other countries have not announced any lifting of the measures until further notice. In Portugal and Malta, schools are closed until the end of the school year”, she continued.
In their discussions, which took place in camera, the Ministers presented their approach to the end-of-year examinations and the registration process for schools and higher education institutions. According to the Croatian Minister, there are more States maintaining the end-of-year exams than those wishing to cancel them. And many EU countries would opt for a flexible approach on the criteria for registration.
Distance learning
Other topics of discussion included distance learning and the use of the Coronavirus Investment Initiative to support education and training.
The European Commissioner for Education, Mariya Gabriel, called on Member States to act in a coordinated manner. “On the basis of the messages reported today, we will reflect with my services on how best to continue to further support Member States”, she said. She also recalled that her services remained fully engaged in the preparation and implementation of the Digital Education Action Plan. “The current crisis and the lessons learned from it will be vital building blocks in our deliberations”, she concluded. (Original version in French by Sophie Petitjean)