WRITTEN QUESTION E-3902/97 by Alexandros Alavanos (GUE/NGL) to the Commission (11 December 1997)

Subject: State of progress of the sub-programme on 'General and Technical Education' in the programme on 'Education and Initial Vocational Training' in Greece

It has been reported in the press that the Greek Minister of Education is urging that sub-programme 1 'General and Technical Education', and in particular Measure 1.2 'Uniform Secondary School', in the programme on 'Education and Initial Vocational Training' be completely restructured and that the management of Community funds be transferred to other bodies. Will the Commission say:

1. Has Greece submitted any proposals for the above-mentioned actions in respect of the programmes in question and, if so, what are they?

2. If any such proposals have been submitted, how does it view them?

Answer given by Mr Flynn on behalf of the Commission (2 February 1998)

1. The ministry of Education has indeed submitted to the monitoring committee of the Education and initial vocational training programme a proposal with a view to strengthening the action and further supporting the integrated lyceum, which was already included in the programme (measure 1.2), and accelerating implementation. The proposals refer to remedial teaching for students of the recently created integrated lyceum, training of teachers and administrative staff, development of libraries, science, computers laboratories, information technologies and mobility programmes, specifically for the lyceum.

2. At its meeting of 3 December 1997, the programme monitoring committee in principle agreed to the modification of sub-programme 1 (general and technical education) to take account of the need to support the integrated lyceum. Moreover, the monitoring committee stressed that the main structure of the sub-programme in question will be maintained. Budgets will be adapted on the basis of the implementation to date, without damaging the current planning. Multifund actions of the adopted programme, like school libraries, information technologies and mobility programmes will be adjusted to give priority to the development of the integrated lyceum. Implementation mechanisms will remain unchanged.

Following the above, the ministry of Education will submit to the monitoring committee, as soon as possible, detailed proposals regarding the implementation of the new actions, as well as the necessary financial information (e.g. budgets, financial tables). On the basis of the detailed proposals, the monitoring committee will then proceed to final decisions.

Consequently, it is premature for the Commission to express its views on the subject, before having the detailed proposals.