91997E3941

WRITTEN QUESTION E-3941/97 by Nikitas Kaklamanis (UPE) to the Commission (12 December 1997)

Subject: Creation of a Greek section in the third European school

Parents' representatives from the Greek section of the European school (No 1) in Brussels (UCCLE) have been collecting signatures in support of their efforts to obtain an additional Greek section in the third European school being built in Brussels. The opening of a Greek section is considered to be particularly necessary since the existing Greek section of the European school in Brussels (No 1) is suffering from overcrowding and the splitting of classes with the result that many Greek children are now attending Belgian schools, which deprives them of the possibility of learning their own language properly.

This is a particularly important issue and indicative of the sensitive approach required by a multicultural Europe towards the languages, cultures, and traditions of its various Member States.

What is the official position of the Commission on this matter? Is it intended to open an additional Greek section in the European school currently under construction as is the case concerning pupils of other nationalities?

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

Educational policy and organisation are exclusively matters for the Board of Governors, which is the intergovernmental body responsible for the European schools. It will therefore be for the Board to decide, when the time comes, what language sections there are to be in the third European school, which is currently being built in Brussels. This decision will have to be taken in line with the principles on which the teaching system at the European schools is based.

As a member of the Board committed to the proper running of the European schools, the Commission will endeavour to ensure that these principles are respected.