In Brussels, Pilar Alegría reiterates the Government's commitment to improving the quality and equity of the education system

This improvement in the quality and equity of the education system will be fostered both through the promotion of blended learning and a commitment to face-to-face learning at all stages of education.

The meeting included a debate on the role of digital skills in education, in which the minister shared the main policies that contribute to the development of these skills in three areas: schools, students and teachers.

"The conjunction and efforts in these three areas have been fundamental in keeping our schools open practically uninterruptedly during the COVID-19 crisis," the minister stressed in her speech, in which she called for the strengthening of European cooperation in this area.

"The European Union must exercise strong leadership by promoting cross-sectoral dialogue, research and innovation and upholding our values in the face of the challenges and opportunities that the digital revolution presents us with," said Pilar Alegria.

During the Council, ministers shared the situation resulting from the pandemic in their respective countries, as well as the main measures taken to mitigate its effects on education and training. Minister Pilar Alegría stressed the "commitment to the presence of all students at all stages of education because it is the best way to guarantee equity and quality in education", while calling for "prudence and respect for preventive measures".

Improving adult education

The 27 EU ministers also today adopted a resolution on a new European Agenda for Adult Learning 2021-2030, with the aim of increasing and improving the provision, promotion and take-up of formal, non-formal and informal learning opportunities for all. The text includes a commitment to improve and increase the supply of training for adults, an objective that Spain is reinforcing through the promotion of the qualification and requalification of workers, and the creation of Mentor Classrooms, among other measures.

In addition, the Council adopted a recommendation on approaches to effective, inclusive and engaging distance, online and blended learning, "a model that has been particularly important during the pandemic," she told the media.

Finally, a resolution establishing the governance structure of the new strategic framework for European cooperation in education and training for 2021-2030 was adopted, and a Joint Declaration was approved to ensure the right of Afghan girls and women to participate in, complete and benefit from quality education without discrimination. Alegría highlighted Spain's role during the recent crisis in Afghanistan, which was recognised by the European institutions and the President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen.

Bilateral meetings

During her stay in Brussels, the minister held bilateral meetings with the French Education Minister, Jean-Michel Blanquer, and the Portuguese Education Minister, Tiago Brandão, with whom she discussed matters of interest between Spain and both countries.

Pilar Alegría also met with the European Commissioner for Innovation, Research, Culture, Education and Youth, Mariya Gabriel, with whom she discussed the upcoming Spanish Presidency of the EU Council of Ministers in the second half of 2023, as well as the STEAM Alliance for female talent, in whose presentation the Commissioner intervened.

This afternoon, the minister will also meet with the European Commissioner for Employment and Social Rights, Nicolas Schmit, with whom she will discuss, among other issues, the transformation of Vocational Training being carried out by the Government.

Non official translation

Public link

Please use the above public link if you want to share this noodl on another website.