Parliament urges further promotion of IT in education
The European Parliament's Culture Committee has urged the further promotion of information technology in education and adopted a report by Italian MEP Mario Mauro supporting the Commission's e-Learning initiative. The committee urged the Commission to continue its support for European networks such as 'European Schoolnet', and to draw up indicators to monitor the progress of the e-Learning initiative. MEPs also requested the creation of a system for the mutual recognition of national qualifications in information technology. Endorsing Mario Mauro's report, the Committee stressed the importance of the e-Learning initiative, which it regards as a top priority in the field of education. MEPs emphasised the importance of exchanges of best practise at all levels and the key role of information society education for people to make the most of opportunities for personal development. The committee stressed however that in addition to access, it is important to ensure that quality content and access are available to all and that the costs of access to new technologies and the Internet are reduced.