Belgium, (Brussels Morning Newspaper) The European Commission released a statement on Sunday, ahead of the International Day of Education. The EC along with Josep Borrell, High Representative of the EU for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, cited how vital education is for achieving sustainability goals.
They stated their belief that education “is a fundamental right and the foundation of resilient, peaceful and sustainable societies”, calling education the ” basis and a catalyst for the green transition.”
“The EU reaffirms the paramount importance of quality education for the personal, social and professional development of children and young people, in and beyond the European Union, to build a better and more equitable future, reduce socio-economic and gender inequalities, and promote peace and democracy,” the statement notes.
According to the Commissioner and the EC, the coronavirus crisis has limited access to quality education and “exacerbated inequalities in education with a disproportionate impact on disadvantaged groups around the world.”
In the statement, they noted how EU continues continue “to invest in quality education with a lifelong learning perspective through inclusive and equitable education systems, paying particular attention to girls, women, and vulnerable groups.”
The EC indicated that it plans to cooperate with partner governments on “teachers’ training and governance to ensure quality education outcomes”, and that the EU would remain a “leading voice in education in emergencies.”
The EC stressed the importance of equipping at least 80% of adults with basic digital skills by 2030, adding that education must prepare children to take on “challenges and opportunities of the 21st century as engaged global citizens.”
The Commission announced that it would continue to support the EU Code Week, which aims to promote coding literacy among teachers and children, and to invest in education through equitable and inclusive systems.
EU member states and institutions would support the transformation of partner countries’ education systems in order “to address deficits and inequalities in teaching, training and learning at all levels.”
The EC stressed that the bloc provides more than 50% of global education aid, supporting programmes in more than 100 countries, noting that at least 10% of the bloc’s humanitarian aid budget for the period between 2021 and 2027 will be devoted to education.
