The European Ministers for Education will meet on Tuesday 7 March in Brussels for an Education, Culture, Youth and Sport Council. A meeting dedicated almost exclusively to education, against the backdrop of labour shortages.
Towards green skills
The Swedish Presidency of the EU Council will adopt conclusions on the skills and competences required for the ecological transition. Announced at the Stockholm programme (see EUROPE 13115/16), these conclusions also respond to the call by EU leaders at the extraordinary summit in February for ambitious action on the issue. Indeed, according to the European Commission, despite growing demand, labour shortages in key green transition sectors doubled between 2015 and 2021 (see EUROPE 13112/1).
The text will focus on both higher and adult education and will invite Member States to work with stakeholders to identify solutions.
Addressing the teacher shortage
Ministers will also hold a policy debate on the shortage of qualified teachers. Considered a cornerstone of a successful European education area, the profession is nevertheless struggling to attract new recruits. The discussion will therefore focus on national challenges, exchange best practice and possible actions at EU level to attract, train and retain teachers.
In addition, at an informal lunch, the Ministers will discuss Ukrainian teachers in exile in the EU and how they can be mobilised to help integrate children fleeing war. Indeed, their knowledge of Ukrainian is an asset, whereas the language barrier is an obstacle to the schooling of Ukrainian refugee children (see EUROPE 13133/15).
Finally, the European Commission will present to the Ministers its initiative for a Day of European Authors, the first edition of which will be held on 27 March. (Original version in French by Hélène Seynaeve)