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EU: Education Council

I attended the EU Education Council to represent the UK on behalf of DCSF and DIUS. Ministers discussed the following issues: European Qualifications Framework—Political Agreement The council agreed the European Parliament amendments to the EQF. These amendments were in line with the general approach that had been agreed previously at the Education Council, and there were no additional comments. Improving the quality of teacher education—Adoption of Conclusions The conclusions are intended to help countries to improve teaching standards and attract high-quality teachers into the profession. The UK was happy to support these conclusions, which were adopted without discussion. Education and Training as a Key Driver of the Lisbon Strategy—Adoption of Resolution This resolution focuses on the role that education and training have to play within the Lisbon strategy, notably the role of education in the knowledge triangle, the links between education and training and other Lisbon policies, and the effective use of peer learning and the open method of co-ordination. The resolution was formally adopted with no discussion, and the Commission gave information on the joint report of the 2010 work programme, a draft of which it had accepted earlier in the week. New Skills for New Jobs—Adoption of Resolution This resolution emphasises the importance of anticipating skills needs and providing opportunities for citizens to improve their skill levels to match these needs. I intervened to congratulate the presidency on this initiative, to reinforce the fact that skills have an enabling role and help Europe to compete in an increasingly globalised world, and to emphasise the importance of training those with low skills and those most at risk of social exclusion. The resolution was then adopted with no further comments. Towards a More Multilingual Europe—Exchange of Views Most Ministers welcomed this focus on multilingualism, stressing the important social and economic role it has to play within the EU. The main points raised during the discussion included the issues surrounding language training for migrants and the importance of looking beyond the EU to other important global languages. I intervened to acknowledge that the UK has not historically performed well in the teaching and learning of foreign languages, but that significant initiatives have been introduced in recent years. I stressed the importance of all languages, rather than just European languages, in fostering strong and cohesive multicultural communities. It would be a mistake to regard the languages used by long-settled communities as simply an ““immigration”” issue without regard to pride in historic cultural roots. Erasmus Mundus Action Programme (2009-2013)— General Approach Ministers agreed a general approach on the new phase of the Erasmus Mundus programme, which will see an expansion of the programme to all levels of higher education, but particularly to doctoral studies, and provide additional financial support for EU students. Resolution on Modernising Universities—Exchange of views Ministers discussed this resolution, which addresses issues around autonomy, governance, curricula and mobility and will go to the Competitiveness Council (23 November) for formal adoption. I supported the joint approach linking mutually reinforcing areas of university and research policy, and stressed the importance of member states committing to university reforms, which are important for both economic reasons and for the life of universities. Other Ministers reported some progress in reform but were frank about how much more was needed. Student mobility: broadening the social dimension of Erasmus—Exchange of views This discussion saw a call from many Ministers for ““positive discrimination”” in the awarding of grants, to encourage young people from disadvantaged backgrounds to participate. France stated that it would work on this during its presidency. Anne Lambert, UK Deputy Permanent Representative, intervened to underline the importance of mobility in meeting the challenges of globalisation.