91997E3550

WRITTEN QUESTION E-3550/97 by Giuseppe Rauti (NI) to the Commission (12 November 1997)

Subject: Abandonment of teaching of geography in Italy

Is the Commission aware that the Italian Ministry of Education's pilot project relating to the first two years of 'higher secondary' teaching, which has already been introduced in 150 establishments, does not include any geography. This has a whole series of serious implications for the teaching profession since many teachers of geography are being forced to 'quit'.

1. Does the Commission agree that this will greatly undermine educational standards?

2. Does it agree that the Italian Ministry's decision is at odds with the policy of promoting the 'cultural value' of geography which applies in all equivalent education systems in the European Union?

3. Will the Commission ask the Italian Government to annul this alarming decision?

Joint answer to Written Questions E-3550/97 and E-3802/97 given by Mrs Cresson on behalf of the Commission (10 December 1997)

The Commission takes note of the fact that in its draft proposal for the revision of the curriculum of the first two years of secondary school the Italian ministry of Education has not introduced the teaching of geography.

The Commission refers the Honourable Members to Article 126 of the EC Treaty which defines the action of the Community in the field of education as 'fully respecting the responsibility of the Member States for the content of teaching and the organisation of education systems'.

The revision of the curriculum, the choice of subjects and their distribution over the years of schooling are all domains under national competence.