Brussels, 11/04/2003 (Agence Europe) - By adopting the report by Mario Mauro (Forza Italia) on 8 April in Strasbourg on "the effective integration of information and communication technologies (ICT) in the education and training systems" (e-learning programme), the European Parliament has approved the Commission's proposal (see EUROPE 3 January 2003 p 4) with very little amendment. The Parliament is happy that teacher training remains a priority aspect of the programme and points out that the ICT can play a complementary role even in the action programmes for primary schools.
Parliament is requesting: 1) that the financial envelope for execution of the programme for the period 1 January 2004-31 December 2006 is EUR 54 million (instead of the EUR 36 million proposed by the Commission). Parliament has pointed out that the budgetary line "Preparatory actions aiming at cooperation in the area of education and youth" and focusing on e-learning, is in the 2003 budget with EUR 17 million in payment appropriations. But given the goal of the proposed programme, a modest increase is needed to guarantee its success; 2) the digital fracture - resulting from the geographical or social situation or other particular conditions. Responses are being sought in Community instruments such as structural funds, the European Social Fund and the Leonardo da Vinci. Programme.