Teachers’ Guide

1.3 European Policies goals and benchmarks for the promotion of scientific education

Europe's policy is focused on education and training as a sector meant to play a critical role under its new Agenda. Investment in human capital is money well spent. Member States should make the necessary investment in all education and training systems in order to improve their effectiveness and efficiency in raising the skill and competences of the workforce, which will allow them to meet the needs of an increasingly digital economy in the context of technological, environmental and demographic change.

Education and training can benefit from the introduction of innovative pedagogical practices and didactic materials. The materials in this subchapter highlight initiatives to increase teachers' and learners' digital competences and strategies for the digitalisation of education.

Societies are becoming increasingly digital, thusincreasing demand for digital competences. Education and training must address this need, which requires investment in infrastructure, organisational change, digital devices and digital competences of teachers, trainers and educators, as well as the creation of digital (and open) educational resources.

Education and training should reap the benefits of new ICT developments and adopt innovative and active pedagogies, based on participatory and project-based methods. Open learning environments (public libraries) can help collaboration between educational sectors.

Teacher training and the initial education and continuing professional development of teachers and trainers should be fit for purpose, combining subject matter, pedagogy and practice. Teachers should be trained to deal with learners' individual needs and growing diversity in terms of their social, cultural, economic and geographic backgrounds, to prevent early school leaving and to use innovative pedagogies and ICT tools in an optimal manner.

European policies should facilitate learning mobility at all levels.

Supporting internationalisation in higher education and vocational education and training will remain a priority through a policy cooperation with other regions of the world (the development of strategic partnerships and joint courses, and the promotion of mobility of students, staff and researchers).

Online Resources

• European CommissionThe European Commission acts in partnership with national governments, employers' and workers' groups and countries outside the EU to:improve the quality of training (initial education, continuing development); to improve the quality of teachers, trainers and other professionals in the sector/ make courses more relevant to the labour market.
• European CommissionThe material presents the European Commission’s new Science Education policy initiatives and policy options within the context of Horizon 2020, Responsible Research and Innovation (RRI) and the European Research Area (ERA). The inputs and suggestions for specific actions will be included in a report that will help future police-making and advancements. It also includes projects focused on formal settings of science education (e.g. schools) and non-formal, out-of-school teaching settings (e.g. science parks, science museums and science events).
• European commission, Science Education NowThe booklet examines a cross-section of on-going initiatives and draws from them elements of know-how and good practice that could bring about a radical change in young people’s interest in science studies.
• Joint Report of the Council and the CommissionThe report states that education should be given priority attention; Member States should make the necessary investment in all education and training systems in order to improve their effectiveness and efficiency in raising the skill and competences of the workforce, thereby allowing them to better anticipate and meet the rapidly changing needs of dynamic labour markets in an increasingly digital economy and in the context of technological, environmental and demographic change.