News

Extensive development of digital skills is needed

2021. 02. 25.

The European Parliament’s Committee on Culture and Education (CULT) adopted a report on the development of the digital education policy. Fidesz MEP Andrea Bocskor, EPP Group Shadow Rapporteur of the report emphasized that: “As a result of the coronavirus pandemic, digitization and the issue of digital education has come to the forefront. Schools had to switch to digital distance learning overnight, which posed enormous challenges for both teachers, students and families as well. Meanwhile, 42% of Europeans lack basic digital capabilities, therefore everything must be done to lower this ratio as soon as possible”.

According to the Fidesz Vice-Chair of CULT: “Digital tools have to be made an essential part of education, as this is the clear direction of the future. However, within the digital education framework more actions are needed than providing access to digital tools. An integrated approach should be taken which takes into account the psychological, social and practical requirements of education and learning.  In addition, it is important that students also have access to online learning with age-appropriate digital capabilities. Smaller children require an increased parental help with technical tools, the internet and for the proper application of softwares, so that they can participate effectively in the distance learning process. Pupils that require special education or faced with learning difficulties need additional personalized support, which unfortunately they often do not receive”.

MEP Bocskor stressed that: “It is particularly important that all educational institutions and students have access to a wide range broadband internet, which is a prerequisite for the development of digital skills. It is essential to ensure broadband internet accessibility in rural areas as well”.

Many EU resources are now available for Member States for the improvement of their digital education policy, such as the European Structural and Investment Fund, the Connecting Europe Facility, Horizon Europe, Erasmus + and the Creative Europe program. Nevertheless, it is essential that Member States also invest in education, develop and modernize the curricula and the educational infrastructure.

“I welcome the European Commission’s initiative to create the European Digital Education Hub. This network would support digital education policies in accordance with the principle of subsidiarity involving experts and key players of the education system. It is important that Member States and their institutions share their experiences and learn from each other. However, we can not support the creation of a single EU digital education policy because it would lead to the stealthy deprivation of competence”, pointed out MEP Andrea Bocskor.