Computers and the Internet in schools across Europe By 2020 90% of jobs in Europe will require digital skills and dedicated high quality education which schools and universities in EU28 are still lacking. In fact, more than 60% of nine year olds in the EU are in schools which are still not digitally equipped. In order to address the root causes of this problem the European Commission launched Open Education Europa, presented in Brussels on September 25, namely, “an action plan to tackle this and other digital problems which are hampering schools and universities from delivering high quality education and the digital skills” required in the job environment and in daily life. The initiative led by Androulla Vassiliou, Commissioner for Education, Culture, Multilingualism and Youth, and Neelie Kroes, Commission Vice-President, responsible for the Digital Agenda, focuses on three main areas: “creating opportunities for organisations, teachers and learners to innovate”; “ensuring that educational materials produced with public funding are available to all”; and “Better ICT infrastructure and connectivity in schools.” Each project aimed at bringing computers, Internet, overhead projectors, digital books and other instruments in schools, along with training courses for teachers, will be financed through the EU multiannual budget 2014-2020 with funding from the Erasmus and the Horizon 2020 + programmes. The two Commissioners recall that “between 50% and 80% of students in EU countries never use digital textbooks, exercise software, broadcasts/podcasts, simulations or learning games.” Most teachers “at primary and secondary level do not consider themselves as ‘digitally confident’ or able to teach digital skills effectively, and 70% would like more training in using ICTs. There are also significant gaps in EU countries that need to be addressed. For this purpose, the Commission drew up a set of proposals to be implemented in agreement with Member States and in accordance with national education systems.The single market month: listening to citizens’ voiceAn entire month will be devoted to lectures and debates on the single market, a pillar of European integration. It is the proposal of the EU Parliament and Commission. The initiative “will bring citizens and EU policy-makers together online to discuss progress made so far, the challenges that remain and ideas for the future.” In concrete terms, citizens will have the opportunity of submitting and sharing their ideas on the website http://www.yourideasforeurope.eu/. They are also invited to take part in thematic online chats on jobs, social rights, banks and e-commerce (four themes for an equal number of weeks) with policy-makers and experts. The final debate of the month-long initiative – from September 23 to October 23 – held at the Parliamentary seat in Strasburg, will be televised on Euronews. The Single Market “is all about bringing down barriers and simplifying the rules” of economic activity, involving workers and EU citizens. The aim is “to empower EU citizens – individuals, consumers and businesses – to make the most of direct access to 28 countries and 506 million people.” Thanks to the Single Market EU citizens “EU citizens benefit from lower prices, a wider choice of products and services, a larger presence on the world stage and more business opportunities.” In particular, Social Rights (“Your social protection rights in the Single Market”) will be in the limelight from September 30th to October 2; “Europe, Banks and You” is the theme of the debates ongoing from October 7 through 9. Finally, European speakers will focus on “E-Commerce: buying, selling and communicating online” (October 14-16).
