EPP Group supports entrepreneurship education in schools

The European Parliament has called for entrepreneurship to be included in school curricula. The Report ‘Promoting youth entrepreneurship through education and training’ by Michaela Šojdrová MEP reflecting the EPP Group priorities, has been adopted with an overwhelming majority.

“Youth unemployment remains one of the major challenges in Europe. In some regions in Europe, almost 50% of young people are unemployed. But there is proof that the necessary skills to start up businesses and companies could be acquired at school. This is the first time that the European Parliament has called for the inclusion of entrepreneurship skills in school curricula. These skills can be taught and learned. They are useful for individuals and for society as a whole”, said Šojdrová, Vice-Chairwoman of the European Parliament’s Culture and Education Committee.

“I am glad that the European Commission has acknowledged one of the key elements of the EPP Group’s priorities. Commissioner Navracsics appreciated our proposal and confirmed that the Commission is now ready to take concrete action in this area. Young people need to acquire the initiative and sense for entrepreneurship. The subjects finance, economics and the business environment should be part of school curricula and should be accompanied by mentoring, career guidance as well as practical experience.”

“A sense for initiative and entrepreneurship needs to involve fostering an entrepreneurial mind-set characterised by initiative, creativity, innovation and risk-taking, as well as the ability to plan and manage projects in order to achieve objectives. The European Commission should maintain entrepreneurship education and training as one of the objectives of a future Erasmus+ programme in the next programming period. Member States are called upon to develop entrepreneurship education in their curricula”, concluded Šojdrová.