Last week, the European Parliament adopted a resolution initiated by liberal Hristo Petrov MEP (We Continue the Change, BG) setting out a liberal vision for European Schools Alliances.
With the European Commission expected to present its plans later this year, the European Parliament is calling for alliances that foster lasting cooperation between schools and ensure that pupils and teachers in every region can benefit from European opportunities.
Petrov, Vice-Chair of the European Parliament's Committee on Culture and Education (CULT) said:
“European cooperation should begin long before university. These alliances can make Europe something children experience in their everyday lives, connecting classrooms across borders and giving teachers lasting networks through which to share successful ideas and teaching methods.”
Building on Erasmus+, the proposed alliances would enable pupils to work with classes in other countries, while giving teachers opportunities to visit partner schools, exchange lesson plans and test new approaches to teaching.
The final text delivers on the priorities set by Renew Europe in relation to skills, mobility and civic participation - including media literacy, critical thinking and citizenship education.
Renew Europe has also secured targeted support for rural, remote and disadvantaged schools, alongside simpler procedures and better access for schools with fewer resources or less experience of EU programmes. Vocational, arts and sports schools should also be able to participate.
“Europe’s competitiveness begins in its classrooms. When schools and teachers share what works across borders, successful ideas travel faster and more young people gain the skills they need for a changing labour market. Opening these alliances to schools in every region will allow Europe to draw on talent from across the continent,” Petrov concluded.