Brussels, 05/03/2007 (Agence Europe) - "The pre-school period is at least as important as schooling itself. We will make every effort in Europe to ensure that young children's thirst for knowledge can be satisfied,” said German Federal Education Minister Annette Schavan, concluding the informal meeting of EU education ministers, which she chaired, in Heidelberg on 1-2 March (see also EUROPE 9375). Apart from this issue, which dominated discussions, ministers considered adult education and the contribution of education policy to the development of a European community of values.
"Education is the key to individual life chances - to playing an active part in society and industry", said Ms Schavan. Cultural, economic and social participation by every individual must be the goal. Early childhood education was of central importance in this respect, she added. "The basis for a person's democratic attitude and civil society virtues is established in the early years of life", she said. This was more important than ever in today's immigration societies, she added. "We must see Europe not only as an economic community but also as a community of values,” she said. Education policy was of special importance for teaching values such as democracy, tolerance and respect for basic rights. Education must therefore also include the teaching of values, she went on.
In order to achieve these goals, the governments in Europe should increase their efforts to improve the training of teachers working in early childhood education. Ms Schavan said it was important that institutions offering early childhood education were adequately equipped with both staff and funding. (ol)