International education experts Pasi Sahlberg and Christine Blower addressed the meeting in Brussels on Thursday 16th May.
Europe’s Education Ministers debated how to support the teaching profession to yield the best learning outcomes for students. The discussion was chaired by Irish Minister for Education and Skills, Ruairí Quinn T.D.. This was the second and final Education Council to be held under the Irish Presidency- the first took place last February. Ahead of the meeting, Minister Quinn said: “Ireland’s primary aim during our Presidency is to support sustainable jobs and growth across Europe, and to seek ways of restoring economic stability to the European economy. Education and training are vitally important in achieving this aim and I am looking forward to an engaging and productive Council meeting.”
Ministers debated “Ensuring a teaching profession of the highest quality to underpin the achievement of better learning outcomes”. To ensure a lively and informative debate, the Presidency invited two guest speakers: Pasi Sahlberg, Finnish Education Expert, and Christine Blower, President of the European Trade Union Committee for Education and General Secretary of the National Union of Teachers.
Minister Quinn said: “I am delighted to build on last February’s very productive Council meeting. These assemblies enable Ministers across the EU to focus on the big policy issues facing us all and I am confident that today’s discussions will be beneficial for students and learners in all of the Member States.”
Ireland holds the Presidency of the Council of the EU until 30th June.
(Adopted from Ireland’s Presidency website)