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INTERPARENTS ALICANTE – BERGEN – BRUSSELS I, II, III & IV – CULHAM – FRANKFURT – THE ASSOCIATION OF THE PARENTS’ASSOCIATIONS OF THE EUROPEAN SCHOOLS |
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INTERPARENTS ALICANTE – BERGEN – BRUSSELS I, II, III & IV – CULHAM – FRANKFURT – THE ASSOCIATION OF THE PARENTS’ASSOCIATIONS OF THE EUROPEAN SCHOOLS |
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9 May 2012
INTERPARENTS met at the Alicante European School on Monday afternoon, 16 April 2012 for a Roundtable meeting on “Action Day 2” and Wednesday, 17 April. Ten of the fourteen members Parents Associations were represented (apologies by Brussels, I, III, Luxembourg, Mol) due to the meeting falling right after the Easter break.
English24 April 2012
INTERPARENTS:
1. is fully aware of the European economic crisis and the need to find appropriate solutions.
2. is fully conscious of efforts made by schools to do their utmost under difficult circumstances and are appreciative of the dedication of the teaching staff in the face of these budgetary restrictions.
3. is fully mindful of the challenges facing the European schools system as highlighted by the European Parliament Resolution and is determined to fully participate in further progress in European Education.
4. is fully committed to the principles and purpose of European schooling as set out in the Mission Statement by Jean Monnet and Marcel Decombis at its conception (annex 1).
5. is fully determined to protect these fundamental principles and actively participate in the development of the system, as our role is foreseen in the Convention.
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6. denounces the severe budget cuts, which are reducing the pedagogical offer whilst the number of pupils is rising. They are impacting on the fundamental principles of the European Schools system and are compromising the quality of education and the wellbeing of the children.
7. denounces the lack of real school autonomy; the rules and regulations give the schools no room for manoeuvre for decision-making and decisions of the administrative boards can be and are overturned by the Board of Governors.
8. denounces the lack of good governance, budgetary certainty and pedagogical predictability, which is threatening the coherence of the system. Good governance includes transparency and accountability, as well as stakeholder participation.
9. denounces the way that the spirit and the letter of the Convention are being undermined (infrastructure, teacher secondment, balancing budget etc.).
10. denounces the way it is being sidestepped through lack of effective participation.
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11. asks that the child be put back into the heart of the system, so their aspirations and capacities can flourish both for their own benefit and for the benefit of the community.
12. asks that any changes do not jeopardise investment in the future of the system, nor perpetuate inequality and discrimination amongst pupils, parents, teachers, languages, sections and schools.
13. asks that an external audit on the educational offer be conducted as required by the recent decision of the European Ombudsman.
14. asks that Member States’ determination to invest in the development of quality education, youth and mobility, cultural and linguistic diversity, the European dimension and citizenship as well as a global perspective, Europe 2020-strategy and life long learning goals also apply to European Schools.
15. calls for an external evaluation of the Stockholm Reform, Cavada-report with a view to provide guidelines as to the future development of the European School system.
27 February 2012
Interparents presented their report on the years 2010-2012 to the Annual meeting celebrated in Brussels II on the 8 February 2012.
Report27 February 2012
INTERPARENTS met at Brussels II European School on Tuesday afternoon, 7 February 2012 for a Roundtable meeting on “Cost Sharing in the European Schools System” and Wednesday, 8 February for the Interparents Annual meeting.
English19 December 2011
Interparents wishes Mme. Christmann every success following her retirement as
Secretary General of the European schools as of January 2012.
Her indefatigable committment, professionalism, energy,
good humour and diplomatic skills will be much missed.
13 December 2011
INTERPARENTS met at the Frankfurt European School, Sunday afternoon, 4 December 2011 and Monday 5 December 2011. All 14 Parents Associations were present. Chair: Ana Gorey, President of Interparents.
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