Ministers discussed the extent to which European Union education systems are equipped to deal with crises such as the COVID-19 pandemic or the war in Ukraine. They adopted a recommendation to further enhance the effectiveness of European cooperation in the field of higher education. They also adopted conclusions on a European strategy to strengthen the position of higher education institutions for Europe's future, and conclusions on increasing the mobility of teachers and trainers, in particular European mobility, during their initial and in-service training.
On 31 March 2022, the EU Education Ministers held a video conference chaired by Jean-Michel Blanquer, the French Education Minister. Mariya Gabriel, European Commissioner for Innovation, Research, Culture, Education and Youth, also took part. The aim was to discuss concrete EU assistance to pupils, teachers and educational staff from Ukraine.
Trends shaping education' is a three-yearly report that examines which major economic, political, social and technological trends are impacting education.
The book is divided into five sections:
• Growth;
• Life and work;
• Knowledge and Power;
• Identity and belonging;
• Our changing nature.
The monitor analyses the evolution of education and training in the EU and in the Member States. The Education and Training Monitor 2020 is the final edition of the strategic framework for European cooperation in education and training ET 2020 that is nearing its end.
This year's Monitor 2020 focuses on teaching and learning in the digital age. The corona crisis has shown the importance of digital solutions for teaching and learning and highlighted weaknesses.
The Council dealt with the following issues in the field of Education:
• The Council adopted the Recommendation on blended learning for high-quality and inclusive primary and secondary education. It proposes both short-term measures and a direct response to the crisis, as well as long-term actions to promote blended learning (see 2.9).
• The Council adopted resolutions on the renewed European Agenda for Adult Learning 2021-2030 (see 2.10) and on the governance structure of the strategic framework for European cooperation in education and training with a view to the European Education Area and beyond (2021–2030).
• A policy debate on Digital Education and Digital Skills took place that contributes to the structured dialogue on this subject.
The Presidency also reported on the impact of the current COVID pandemic on education and training. The French delegation also reported on the work programme of the incoming Presidency in the field of Education and Youth.
On 22-23 November 2021, the 'Education Policy Reform Dialogues' took place, with the theme 'Thriving through change'. On 22 November, the "Education Policy Outlook" was launched, with the title "Shaping responsive ad resilient education in a changing world".
In this report on the future of education, the agency answers three questions posed by UNESCO: What should be preserved? Where should we get rid of? What needs to be reinvented creatively? With these questions in mind, we are looking at a new future for education by 2050.
The European Commission has several priorities for the period from 2019 to 2024. The Commission's work programme for 2022 also takes place within these priorities, so the main lines are the same:
1 A European Green Deal
2 A Europe fit for the digital age
3 An economy that works for people
4 A stronger Europe in the world
5 Promoting our European way of life
6 A new push for European democracy
The focus of this year's report is on Equity, or equity in education. The report provides an overview of the state of affairs in different partner countries in ensuring equal access to quality education at all levels.
This year's report also features a spotlight on the impact of COVID-19 in education.
On 21 September 2021, a Webinar took place about the findings of the Education at a Glance 2021 report, in which Andreas Schleicher, OECD Director for Education and Skills, presented the most important insights.
