An informal meeting of education ministers from the European Union took place on 4-5 October in Nicosia. At the meeting, Hungary was represented by Rózsa Hoffmann, Minister of State for Education and Zoltán Gloviczki, Deputy State Secretary for Compulsory Education.

The meeting agenda included the following topics:

1. Tackling the crisis successfully: the role of education in the implementation of the Europe 2020 strategy

Rózsa Hoffmann indicated in her speech that the Hungarian government has enacted comprehensive new legislation in the field of education, with a view to increasing efficiency. The new rules are also in accordance with the goals of the EU ’Education and Training 2020’ strategy. Furthermore, Hungary welcomed the fact that the role of education ministers had been successfully strengthened as part of the objectives set by the Europe 2020 Strategy, which was also contributed to by Hungary’s presidency of the European Union in the first half of 2011.

2. Key to a more equitable education: literacy skills for everyone

An EU high-level group has prepared a report which has shed light on the critical situation of literacy skills in all European countries. This issue is also considered a priority in Hungary, and Zoltán Gloviczki pointed out the elements which are central to local as well as European action plans. The deputy state secretary highlighted the most important factors, such as the effective teaching of basic skills like reading and writing, coherent curricula promoting reading literacy, correct pedagogical assessment methods and the reduction of social and economic gaps. He also briefly noted what efforts have been made at national level to serve the abovementioned goals.

Cyprus, which is currently holding the presidency of the Council of the European Union, has called for the adoption of conclusions regarding the issue at the November session of the EU Council for Education, Youth, Culture and Sport.

(Ministry of Human Resources)