The EYCS Council took place on 7 March 2023, where the ministers concentrated on some of the most relevant education matters. A thought-provoking policy debate was held on high-quality teachers, while the informal lunch put special focus on experiences and successful initiatives to mobilise displaced teachers from Ukraine to help refugee learners in their integration process. Recognizing the outmost importance of appropriate skills to carry out a successful green transition, ministers approved the Council Conclusions on skills and competences for the green transition.
The policy debate on high-quality teachers very much highlighted that the shortage of teachers was a common challenge for Member States. The exchange of views, furthermore, made it possible for the ministers to identify relevant incentives and measures that are likely to contribute to attract, upskill and retain qualified and well-trained teachers.
The situation in Ukraine is not just extremely difficult for those remaining, but also for pupils and students who had to flee their home country. Already one-year into the crisis, the ministers took the opportunity to discuss how the potential of Ukrainian refugee teachers can be the most beneficial to the successful school integration of young Ukrainian citizens.
It is clear that Member States are still facing many challenges related to the green transition. The approval of the Council Conclusions on skills and competences for the green transition confirms the ministers’ intention and determination to investigate relevant policy options which will result in measures providing green capacities to Europe’s future population.
As a new initiative to promote contemporary literature and reading amongst the young, participants have learned more about the Day of European Authors.
Benefitting from the occasion, the representatives of Austria, the Czech Republic, Hungary, the Slovak Republic and Slovenia renewed the Joint Memorandum of Understanding on Central European Cooperation in Education and Training which enhances the collaboration of the Member States concerned in the relevant fields.
