Answer given by by Ms Gabriel on behalf of the European Commission
28.4.2021
The Commission Communication on achieving the European Education Area (EEA) by 2025[1] puts forward many initiatives to support the competence development and career paths of teachers, trainers and school education leaders.
The Digital Education Action Plan 2021-2027 (DEAP)[2] supports Member States in identifying assistive technologies, and in providing effective digital learning environments for learners with disabilities. For example, the Erasmus Teacher Academies[3] and SELFIE for Teachers[4], based on the Digital Competence Framework for Educators[5], help identify strengths and weaknesses in teachers’ skills. As part of the DEAP, the Erasmus+ programme will support the digital transformation plans of primary, secondary, vocational education and training.
In March 2021, the Commission adopted a Strategy for the Rights of Persons with Disabilities 2021-2030[6], aiming to ensure that people with disabilities can experience full social and economic inclusion. The strategy supports the implementation of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UNCRPD) at EU level. It encourages Member States to ensure that their education systems comply with the UNCRPD[7] and to address issues related to teaching learners with disabilities within inclusive educational settings.
- [1] COM(2020) 625 final
- [2] COM(2020) 624 final
- [3] https://ec.europa.eu/programmes/erasmus-plus/news/teacher-academy-courses-and-materials-support-teachers_en
- [4] https://ec.europa.eu/education/schools-go-digital_en
- [5] https://ec.europa.eu/jrc/en/digcompedu
- [6] https://ec.europa.eu/social/main.jsp?catId=738&langId=en&pubId=8376&furtherPubs=yes
- [7] https://www.un.org/development/desa/disabilities/convention-on-the-rights-of-persons-with-disabilities/article-24-education.html