91998E4090

WRITTEN QUESTION E-4090/98

by Luciana Castellina (GUE/NGL) to the Commission

(14 January 1999)

Subject: Future of the language sections in the European Schools

The next meeting of the Board of Governors of the European Schools, which will be held in Brussels in January 1999, is due to take a decision on the request made by the Italian Government, on 5 July 1998, for the creation of a third Italian language section in the European Schools in Brussels. It is also due to respond to the invitation issued by the Italian Government to a seminar to reflect on the future of, and a renewed role for, the European Schools.

In view of the fact that the creation and maintenance of language sections are currently not governed by objective and transparent criteria (as demonstrated by the decisions of the Board of Governors taken in April 1998 in Copenhagen, which led to certain language sections being created and a refusal to create others), and bearing in mind the importance of tackling the problem as soon as possible, particularly in view of the forthcoming enlargements, does the Commission intend to act to help defend the plurality of languages and cultures in the European Schools and to further the process of reflection on their future and renewing their role?

Answer given by Mr Liikanen on behalf of the Commission

(23 February 1999)

Respect for cultural diversity and multilingualism is one of the principles underlying the organisation of education in the European Schools, as set out in the Statute of 12 April 1957. To meet that end, the European Schools are divided into language sections. It is for the Board of Governors, the competent intergovernmental body in this area, to decide on the number of language sections in each of these Schools.

The Commission, as a member of the Board of Governors, has always defended that principle in the schools while ensuring that the funds available are put to the best use, and has supported the creation of language sections where that has proved necessary.

Modernisation of the European Schools is a constant concern of those responsible for managing them. A new Convention was signed on 21 June 1994 to update the Convention of 12 April 1957; it is now being ratified by the Member States. A sub-committee for education was given the task of studying longer-term arrangements; it met several times within the framework of the Board of Governors in 1993 and 1994. Its task was subsequently handed over to a Working Party of the Board of Governors, which, since 1996, has continued to examine how the system could be streamlined and to look for alternative formats. This year the Working Party is to present a document listing all the criteria for improving the system.

The Commission, which attaches great importance to the smooth operation of the European Schools, plays an active role in the modernisation process. A Commission proposal put to the Ministers of Education meeting in the Council resulted in the new Convention being signed in 1994. The Commission takes part in studies on the future of the European Schools carried out by the Working Party set up by the Board of Governors.