Keywords
Citation
(2001), "Ministers reach agreement on mobility of students and teachers", Education + Training, Vol. 43 No. 7. https://doi.org/10.1108/et.2001.00443gab.011
Publisher
:Emerald Group Publishing Limited
Copyright © 2001, MCB UP Limited
Ministers reach agreement on mobility of students and teachers
Ministers reach agreement on mobility of students and teachersKeywords: Students, Teachers, Mobility, Education, Europe
Education ministers meeting in the European Council have reached political agreement on a draft recommendation on the mobility of students and teachers in Europe. The recommendation calls for the current administrative and legal obstacles to mobility to be eliminated and the economic conditions needed to promote mobility to be developed. There should also be greater publicity about the possibilities and conditions for mobility. Thomas Ostros, the Swedish education minister, who chaired the meeting, emphasised the importance of financial means, such as student grants, to make mobility easier. Ministers also highlighted the key role of adequate linguistic preparation and the need to promote qualifications acquired through mobility.
Ministers held an intensive debate on the implications for education and training of the conclusions of the Stockholm European Council. Focusing on the future objectives of education and training systems, the ministers identified three priority areas – basic skills, information and communications technology, and mathematics, science and technology. A report on these will be prepared in time for the Barcelona European Council meeting next March. The ministers also adopted resolutions on the role of education and training in employment policy, and the e-learning action plan. The former calls for strengthening the exchange of experience and good practice in the field, based on comparative analysis of national action plans for employment. The latter suggests to EU member states and the Commission practical ways of implementing the e-learning action plan. The Commission reported that the current European Year of Languages was "a phenomenal success".