10/12/2020 (Agence Europe) – The President of the European Commission confirmed at the Education Summit on Thursday 10 December that nothing would replace in-person education, an idea already hammered home several times by Commissioner Mariya Gabriel at EU Council meetings. “I said it already: it is admirable, how pupils, teachers and schools as a whole cooperate in the times of corona. [...] But let me also be clear: While e-learning has helped us to overcome constraints, it also showed us, what we lose, when there is no personal contact”, said Ursula von der Leyen, referring in turn to personal interaction, camaraderie, discussions on special needs, etc. In view of the concern of the teaching staff, she stressed that teachers remained essential elements for the future. (SPj)