On Monday 29 November, EU education ministers approved recommendations on “blended learning” in secondary and primary education and a resolution on adult learning.
Blended learning is presented by the Council as an educational approach that combines online and face-to-face learning, in schools as well as in multiple physical environments such as museums, parks, and sports centres.
The recommendation calls on Member States to promote this approach and to develop it in the long term, building in particular on the systems put in place in the context of the Covid-19 pandemic.
The Council places particular emphasis on the need for Member States to ensure that blended learning stimulates the development of pupils’ digital skills and competences.
As regards teachers and trainers, the recommendation calls on the EU27 to integrate blended learning into their initial training and curricula.
Finally, the recommendation calls on the European Commission to support the implementation of this recommendation at European level, in particular by promoting exchanges between the EU27 on the subject.
EU Education Commissioner Mariya Gabriel, welcoming the adopted text, acknowledged that the EU’s aim would be to “create a common understanding” of the benefits of blended learning.
Ministers also agreed on the need to increase opportunities and provision for adult learning.
They supported a resolution setting out a new European agenda on this issue to be implemented by 2030 (see EUROPE 12835/23). They also call on the Commission to support the EU27 in this process, in particular by funding the work of national adult learning coordinators. (Original version in French by Agathe Cherki)