European Trade Union Committee for Education

ETUCE has released its views on the Draft Joint Report on Education and Training 2020 of the European Commission. Education and Training 2020 (ET2020) is the framework for cooperation in education and training, within the frame of the Europe 2020 strategy. Albeit every country is responsible for its national education system, many challenges are a common concern and should be faced in cooperation. Recently, the European Commission has published the ‘Draft Joint Report on Education and Training 2020’ which includes the proposal for six new priorities on education and training for Member states for the period 2016-2020. The Draft Report is in fact expected to be adopted by the 28 Ministers of Education during their meeting in November 2015.

Given the significance of the role of teachers in delivering high quality education and their standing at the core of the school community, the ETUCE has been consulted several times about the teacher unions’ views on the future strategic goals of the EU on education and training.

Eventually, ETUCE member organizations express appreciation for the final report, which includes most of the teachers’ views previously expressed, aimed at securing the provision of quality education even in difficult and challenging circumstances such as the economic and financial crisis. However, the ETUCE believes that the report should pay more attention to the importance of social dialogue. While effective social dialogue remains the key for the development of successful educational reforms, unfortunately, several teacher unions have generally not been consulted on key education reforms linked to the implementation of Education and Training 2020 goals.

Martin Rømer, ETUCE European Director, commenting on the report underlined that “The Ministers of Education of the 28 Member states meeting in November to adopt the Report shall agree that that without the full involvement of teachers through their trade union organizations in defining and implementing educational objectives and policies, education systems cannot hope to achieve quality education for all”.

ETUCE points out at the fact that the Report should argue more in favour of public education as the basis for providing the opportunity to learn to all children and young people, regardless of their socio-economic background, and for providing a sustainable and quality educational support for young and adult migrants and refugees.

Equity must be the hallmark of education quality. This twin mission cannot be left to market forces and the report should focus on arguing for a major role for government in securing high-quality public education for all as the basis for an inclusive, fair and democratic society.

To read the document click here