A non-legislative report recently approved by the Culture and Education Committee of the European Parliament calls for more investment in higher education, mobility and language learning in order to improve youth access to the labour market. MEPs advocate the need to adapt curricula to the demands of the labour market by strengthening partnerships between education institutions and the business world, boosting digital literacy, fostering mobility, tackling social exclusion in education and facilitating lifelong learning.
With regard to education for minorities in the EU, MEPs urge Member States to put in place the right legislative, administrative and financial means to support the education of minority children in their mother tongue. They also require educational support for children of immigrants to facilitate their integration process within the social and linguistic community of the host country. MEPs also stress the importance of education in preventing social prejudice and discrimination.
The report urges the European Union to remove obstacles to mobility for example by introducing the learning of a second language at an early stage in all Member States.
MEPs also consider essential to increase digital literacy at all levels of education and training and encourage lifelong learning initiatives as to ensure that all citizens, irrespective of their age, gender and socio-economic background, are able to acquire, update and develop their skills and competences throughout their lives.
The report is expected to be adopted by the Parliament in plenary on 18 May.