Minister of Science and Education prof. dr. sc. Radovan Fuchs presented the programme of whole-day school at the meeting of the Council of the European Union for education ministers in Brussels on 16 May 2023

At the meeting of education ministers of the European Union minister Radovan Fuchs presented the experimental programme of “Primary school as whole-day school – a balanced, fair, efficient and sustainable education system”.

The main objective of introducing whole-day school is to reduce differences in school achievements and educational outcomes among diverse groups of students, as well as to improve equality in education in primary schools. The improvement of students' school achievements in curriculum areas of primary school with special emphasis on the language and reading literacy as well as PISA results is among the programme's goals.

Two documents were adopted at the meeting:
Council  Resolution on the European Education Area: Looking to 2025 and beyond and
Council conclusions on further steps to make automatic mutual recognition in education and training a reality.

The Council  Resolution on the European Education Area aims to encourage Member States for strong political commitment and to take further steps in implementing initiatives aimed at achieving the European Education Area. The Resolution highlights objectives that require special attention: improving equity, inclusion and the acquisition of key competences, promoting the teaching profession, improving the working conditions of teachers, and removing the remaining obstacles to mobility and promoting lifelong learning.  

In the Council conclusions on further steps to make automatic mutual recognition in education and training a reality it is emphasised that automatic mutual recognition of qualifications and outcomes of learning periods abroad is one of the key elements of achieving the European Education Area. The Member States are therefore invited to step up their efforts with a view to implementing the 2018 Recommendation on automatic recognition by the end of 2025. At the same time, the Member States are invited to build mutual trust and cooperation at national and EU levels. 

Furthermore, the ministers exchanged opinions on the topic of reading and its importance for learning, equity and active participation in society. Minister Radovan Fuchs pointed out that it is possible to motivate students to read by creating a positive and stimulating environment where they will develop and retain the desire to read.

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