92000E2354

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2354/00

by Mario Mauro (PPE-DE), Giorgio Lisi (PPE-DE) and Antonio Tajani (PPE-DE) to the Council

(24 July 2000)

Subject: Infringement of the principle of non-discrimination and competition in connection with the situation of teachers in schools officially recognised as equivalent to State schools

The perpetuation in officially recognised schools in Italy of blatant disparities and discrimination contrary to the spirit of the Italian Constitution and European legislation on competition has prompted the questioners to raise the following issues at a higher level.

The question is therefore not intended to refer to or interfere with Article 126 of the EC Treaty, since the aim is not to deal with the organisation of school systems but with the infringement of the right to work caused by discrimination between the teaching staff of State schools and of those officially recognised as equivalent.

1. Teachers in these officially recognised schools have been allowed access to the competitive qualifying examination, in which, incomprehensibly, only half the years of service are recognised the overall mark includes both the level achieved in the examination and half the number of years of service. Why, when the final list is drawn up, is the service is ignored?

2. Can the Council explain why the Italian Ministry of Education does not systematically allow teachers in officially recognised schools access to competitive examinations by qualification only since, once again, the years of service do not count?

3. Why, in the provincial authorities' lists of supply teachers, does service in officially recognised schools only count for half (why not one third or two thirds? Does a teacher in such a school only work half time?).

4. Why, when a teacher passes the ordinary competitive examination, are the marks relating to teaching not recognised?

Reply

(7 November 2000)

The Honourable Member's question concerns a domestic Italian matter which does not fall within the sphere of competence of the Council. If a Member State has failed to fulfil one of the obligations imposed on it by the Treaty, it is for the Commission, in accordance with Articles 211 and 226 of the EC Treaty, to ensure that the provisions of the Treaty and any provisions laid down by the institutions pursuant to the Treaty are respected.