On Friday 19 February, the European Ministers of Education validated a resolution establishing a strategic framework for cooperation between Member States in education and training towards the European Education Area and beyond (2021-2030).
This document, which is “highly relevant” for both the European Union and the Member States, “will underpin European cooperation in education and training” over the period 2021-2030, said the Portuguese Minister, Tiago Brandão Rodrigues.
He announced “five strategic priorities”: - improving quality, equity, inclusion and success for all in education and training; - making lifelong learning and mobility a reality for all; - enhancing competences and motivation in the education profession; - reinforcing European higher education; - supporting climate and digital transitions.
The European Commissioner for Education, Mariya Gabriel, highlighted “an important step” towards the realisation of the European education area by 2025 (see EUROPE 12024/20).
See the draft EU Council Resolution: http://bit.ly/3az795M
Expert Group on investment in education
Presenting a European Commission study on the importance of targeted investment in education to foster economic and social resilience, Ms Gabriel reiterated her call to the EU27 to use the financial windfall from the Next Generation EU recovery plan to invest massively in education and training systems.
In particular, the Commissioner announced the creation of a “Commission Expert Group”, some 15 academics and/or experts from the public and private sectors, which will guide Member States in allocating the best possible use of available EU funds. This group will work in three areas: - teachers and trainers; - management of education infrastructure; - digital education.
But the group will not be operational in time to advise Member States in the preparation of their national plans in the framework of the Next Generation EU, which they must send to the Commission by the end of April at the latest. It will provide “its expertise” once the political choices have been made and will support the Member States in optimising their spending, Ms Gabriel said to EUROPE.
Calls for expression of interest to participate in the group is open until 20 March. See: http://bit.ly/3kbJxYo
Towards a recommendation on micro-credentials
The Commissioner also announced the forthcoming launch of a public consultation with a view to submitting a European recommendation on micro-credentials to the EU Council by the end of the year.
“More than 900 European organisations” offer “more than 13,000” online courses to “110 million”citizens in the EU and “the top three platforms are not European”, Ms Gabriel noted.
We need a European “definition” and “criteria” to certify quality and to promote the recognition of these micro-credentials, she added, convinced that these micro-credentials are “very useful” to enable an individual to improve his or her skills. (Original version in French by Mathieu Bion)