European Trade Union Committee for Education

On the 27 October, the European Commission presented its annual Work Programme for 2016 . In addition to its priorities illustrated in the Political Guidelines , the Commission added other ten priority issues for 2016.

ETUCE noticed that there is little attention on education among the priority issues in the 2016 Work Programme. Indeed, a few segment of education could be included in the framework of the future -Skills Agenda but education is not an explicitly quoted among the priorities of the European Commission’s work programme. The Skills Agenda will promote “life-long investment in people, from vocational training and higher education through digital and high-tech expertise and the life skills needed for citizens’ active engagement in changing workplaces and society” (more information here).

Most of the ten priorities of the European Commission have  links to education issues, for example concerning the development of a deeper and fairer internal market, new boost for jobs, growth and investment;  justice and fundamental rights and developments of TTIP agreement. The European Commission took on Digital Single Market Strategy and initiatives on copyright and on free flow of data.

“All these topics should be implemented by more investments in education system which provides citizens with knowledge, skills and competences for quality of life and quality jobs” – said Martin Romer, European Director of ETUCE about the Work Programme. “All these topics should be developed with the involvement of trade unions of the education sector via effective social dialogue at national levels”.

In addition, migration policy as a Commission priority closely links to the education sector . Education plays a central role in helping refugees as  “educational institutions, school communities, teachers and teacher unions play a major role in helping these people see their human rights and dignity fully respected, independently of their legal status and in accordance with international law”. says ETUCE Statement entitled Refugees and Migration: Human right for all .