41990X0703(02)

CONCLUSIONS OF THE COUNCIL AND THE MINISTERS FOR EDUCATION MEETING WITHIN THE COUNCIL

of 31 May 1990

on meetings of senior officials in the education sector

(90/C 162/03)

1. The Council and the Ministers for Education meeting within the Council re-emphasize the importance they attach to:

- improving mutual understanding of the various educational systems in the Community,

-ensuring continuous comparison of education policies, ideas and experience in the Member States,

-ensuring that educational reforms within Member States can be designed in full awareness of the experience of other Member States,

-the discussion of policy issues and problems which are of common concern to Member States so as to improve the quality of educational systems in the Community.

2. They reaffirm the usefulness of regular meetings at Community level between senior officials of the Member States contributing to the formulation of education policies and the Commission.

3. The chairman for these meetings will be provided by the country holding the office of President of the Council. The chairman will convene meetings on his own initiative or at the request of a Member State or the Commission. He shall submit, in consultation with the next two succeeding Presidencies, a draft work programme for these meetings to the Education Committee.

4. The Council and the Ministers recognize the contribution that can be made by the Eurydice network as an essential instrument for improving mutual understanding of the educational systems of the Community as well as providing information for the comparison of educational developments within the Community.

Furthermore, they also recognize the contribution made by the Arion study visits scheme for education specialists and administrators, which has enabled them to improve their knowledge of other European educational systems. They agree that this scheme could include themes of common interest arising out of the meetings of senior officials.

5. The Presidency will evaluate the experience gained on the basis of these conclusions and the follow-up to the meetings and will report to the Education Commitee and the Council during 1992.