Spain sets out its priorities in the field of education for the Presidency of the Council of the European Union

The education priorities for this term will focus on three areas, as Pilar Alegría explained this afternoon. First, the EU's Open Strategic Autonomy, a cross-cutting objective of the mandate. To promote it, "we will promote higher education, vocational training and lifelong learning, in particular within the framework of the European Year of Skills".

In addition, Spain will promote the strengthening of European values and democratic citizenship through, among other initiatives, the development of the European Pillar of Social Rights. This is in addition to supporting "better policies, access and quality in digital education and, in particular, the promotion of STEM vocations among girls", in the words of the minister.

Alegría recalled in her speech that the Spanish presidency "will be influenced by Russia's illegal and unjustified attack on Ukraine and its consequences, many of which are educational" and that "we are prepared to coordinate any complementary action that this Council deems necessary".

Strengthening the European Education Area

During the meeting, the European ministers also approved a resolution on the European Education Area and what will be the priority areas of work between now and 2025: improving equity, improving the teaching profession, removing obstacles to mobility and promoting lifelong learning.

The Council Conclusions on further measures to make automatic mutual recognition in education and training a reality were also endorsed, inviting Member States to strive for improvement in this area, to strengthen relations and to increase transparency and trust between education systems.

The Minister for Education and Vocational Training also took part in the debate on reading and its importance in learning, equity and active participation in society. In this session, the results of the latest edition of the PIRLS study on reading comprehension were presented, in which 4th grade Primary School students from 57 countries, including Spain, took part.

At the end of the Council of Ministers, the Swedish Minister for Schools, Lotta Edholm, and the ministers Alegría and Subirats led the symbolic handover of the Presidency of the Council of the European Union.

Non official translation