6. eLEARNING PROGRAMME
(24149)
5035/03
COM(02) 751
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Draft Decision adopting a multi-annual programme (2004-2006) for the effective integration of Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) in education and training systems in Europe (eLearning Programme).
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| Legal base: | Articles 149 and 150 EC; co-decision; qualified majority voting
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| Document originated: | 19 December 2002
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| Deposited in Parliament: | 9 January 2003
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| Department: | Education and Skills
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| Basis of consideration: | EM of 22 January 2003
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| Previous Committee Report: | None
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| To be discussed in Council: | May 2003
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| Committee's assessment: | Politically important
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| Committee's decision: | Cleared
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Background
6.1 The Lisbon, Stockholm and Barcelona European Councils
all emphasised the importance of Information and Communication
Technologies (ICT) and "digital literacy" — the
ability to use ICT. This proposal aims to provide support for
the integration of ICT into education and training systems, in
order to improve their quality and accessibility.
The document
6.2 The proposal is for a financial support programme,
to run from 1 January 2004 to 31 December 2006. Following a series
of consultations, four priority areas have been selected for targeted
action:
- Fighting the digital divide: to foster awareness and
understanding of how the learning of ICT skills can aid those
who are unable to benefit from traditional education and training
provision, because of their geographical location, social situation
or special needs. (Approximately 25% of the total budget.)
- Universities and higher education institutions: to
encourage the development of new organisational models for European
universities (virtual campus) and for European exchange schemes
(virtual mobility) building on existing co-operation frameworks.
(Approximately 30% of the total budget.)
- School twinning via the internet: to strengthen and
develop schools networking, particularly via a European-wide school-twinning
scheme with the potential to cover all European schools, fostering
language learning and intercultural dialogue. (Approximately 25%
of the total budget.)
- "Transversal actions": to disseminate and
encourage the take-up of good practice and outputs from projects
and programmes funded both by Member State and by the EU (building
on the monitoring of the eLearning Action Plan[20])
and to reinforce co-operation, particularly by fostering public-private
partnerships. (Approximately 10% of the total budget.)
6.3 In addition, approximately 10% of the budget is allocated
to technical and administrative assistance.
The Government's view
6.4 The Minister of State for Lifelong Learning and Higher
Education (Margaret Hodge) tells us:
"The four priorities on which this proposal is based are
broadly in line with UK domestic policy on the promotion of eLearning.
In particular, we welcome the inclusion in the programme of measures
to develop internet twinning between schools, an initiative of
the Prime Minister and his Spanish counterpart. The British Council
has already done a lot of work in this area and we would welcome
further support for this work. We would wish to see the development
of central support for curriculum projects which can directly
benefit schools.
"Proposed work on fighting the digital divide ties in with
work already being taken forward in the UK, in particular through
our Wired up Communities project, the eLearning Foundation and
UK Online Centres. We would be particularly interested to explore
ways in which ICT can help less privileged groups to acquire skills
and competencies.
"Regarding Universities and Higher Education Institutions,
our own eUniversities project already includes in its aims the
general enhancement of e-learning in UK [Higher Education Institutions]
by researching and sharing best practice. We would wish to avoid
any unnecessary duplication between current UK activity and other
planned EU activity."
6.5 Turning to the financial implications of the programme,
the Minister tells us that the proposed budget of _36m would come
from existing EU funding. She continues:
"Funding will be granted under the programme following a
call for tenders and calls for proposals. Purchased services (such
as studies and publications) and a support structure for school
twinning will be financed at 100%. The costs of information and
communication actions will be subsidised at a rate of between
50% and 80%; all other actions will be subsidised at a rate of
up to 80%. The residual costs will need to be met in full by those
tendering for this programme. This Department will not be required
to provide additional subsidy to that offered by the EU."
6.6 The Minister says that the programme will be discussed
at official level, with a view to the agreement of a common position
at the Education Council on 5-6 May 2003.
Conclusion
6.7 We were disappointed by the eLearning Action Plan
which, in our view, lacked challenging targets. The eLearning
Programme appears to be better prioritised and we hope that it
will provide support for well-targeted initiatives which lead
to real progress.
6.8 We clear the document.
20 HC
152-i (2001-02), paragraph 28 ( 18 July 2001). Back
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