The long-term growth and competitiveness of Europe is dependent on the education and training of its citizens and, consequently, on the teaching. An increasing range of skills has become essential for young people in Europe and teaching many of those skills requires new styles and techniques. Not only this but classes are becoming more and more diverse, with pupils from different cultures, with different mother tongues, levels of ability and educational needs and this in too is calling for new approaches.

Teacher training in the EU is currently falling short of the mark, according to the European Commission. Courses are failing to give prospective teachers access to the knowledge, attitudes and pedagogic skills they need to be successful. Proposals set out by the Commission this week aim to improve the quality of teacher training across Europe, tackling skill shortage amongst teachers, lack of coherence and continuity between different elements of teacher education and the limited amount of in-service training available to practising teachers. "There are worrying developments across the EU, with most Member States reporting shortfalls in teachers' skills, and difficulties in updating them. In today’s Communication, within the scope of its competences, the Commission is urging Member States to address these problems by proposing a set of common guidelines and principles for action." said Ján Figel´, European Commissioner for Education, Training, Culture and Youth.

A highly educated workforce is crucial for the EU if it wants to meet the increasing pressures of the 21st century, says the Commission, A high quality of education is needed to achieve this and, therefore, a high quality of teaching. "Better teaching and learning are critical for the EU's long-term competitiveness, since a highly educated workforce is a more efficient workforce. I believe we need to ensure that the EU has high-quality teachers if the Member States' education reforms are to be a success," said Figel´.

Walueurope
07 August 2007

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