Make education fit for the digital age

The EPP Group wants to provide digital equipment for teachers and disadvantaged children, a foreign study experience for all who are interested and support for the adaptation of workers to the digital market of the future.

These and other policy proposals are part of the Digital Education Position Paper adopted by the EPP Group in the wake of the Commission Digital Education Action Plan.

“The lockdown of schools due to COVID-19 has exposed how the level of digitalisation of education varies between and even within Member States. For many schools, this was a major challenge. We want the EU to help the Member States ensure equal access to digital education. The EU Recovery Fund and the next multiannual budget must also be used for digital equipment for schools and children. Too many schools, teachers and children from disadvantaged backgrounds still do not have access to digital tools, which would make them fit for digital education and the ever-changing labour market. No child should be left behind”, said Michaela Šojdrová MEP, EPP Group Spokeswoman for Education.

The COVID-19 lockdown also revealed the limits of remote distant education and the importance of the social role of schools.

“We must seize this situation as an opportunity. We suggest that Member States invest massively in equipment and skills of teachers, students and pupils. Nevertheless, we point out that remote education can never replace direct interaction between teachers and students. It should be considered as a temporary measure”, stressed Šojdrová.

Experiencing studies abroad and participating in a volunteering project changes students’ lives and helps them get their first jobs. The EPP Group also asks therefore for sufficient financing for Erasmus and the Solidarity Corps. At the same time, adult learning projects, requalification programmes and life-long learning must be enhanced so that people working in disappearing traditional sectors do not find themselves jobless in the near future.