WRITTEN QUESTION E-1158/02

by Salvador Garriga Polledo (PPE-DE) to the Commission

(22 April 2002)

Subject: Analysis of the teaching of mathematics in the European Union

Experts have yet again noted that mathematics teaching in all the Member States is particularly weak, which has in turn led to deficiencies and gaps in education, especially in information technology.

This only serves to put the European Union at a disadvantage in relation to other world centres of technological and scientific development, making it imperative to fill the gaps in the study and development of mathematical sciences in the EU.

Does the Commission consider that it should instigate an overall analysis of mathematics teaching throughout the European Union, in all the Member States, which would prepare the way for tough measures to be taken to improve the teaching of mathematical sciences in our educational institutions, and to overcome the present deficiencies in this area?

Answer given by Mrs Reding on behalf of the Commission

(20 June 2002)

In February 2001, for the first time in the history of education in Europe, the Education Council adopted a report on the concrete future objectives of education and training systems to be achieved in 2010(1). These questions were also discussed in Uppsala on 2 March 2001 at an informal meeting of the Ministers for Education and Research. Mathematics, sciences and technology constitute a priority area. Maths plays a crucial role when learning natural sciences and technology, and has a direct influence on levels of success in these fields at school and university.

A group of experts on Mathematics, sciences and technology made up of representatives of the 15 EU Member States has thus started its work aimed at increasing the numbers going in for scientific and technological subjects; for this purpose, instruments such as indicators and performance calibration are being used. Particular attention will also be focused on encouraging young people to study scientific and technical subjects, and on ensuring a steady supply of teachers qualified in these subjects. An initial report from this group will be available at the end of 2002.

The results of the PISA 2000 study (the OECD's Programme for International Student Assessment), which were published at the beginning of 2002 and were concerned with the skills of 15-year-old pupils in three areas, including mathematics and the sciences, reveal wide disparities between and also within the EU Member States. However, most of the Member States performed better in advanced maths, for example, than the United States. It is clear that there is room for improvement, but this is a matter for the Member States rather than the EU.

Finally, the science and society section of the Community's Sixth Framework Programme for research and technological development will offer support for measures encouraging young people to follow a scientific career, particularly through the development of better methods of presenting the sciences within or alongside formal education.

(1) Report from the Education Council to the European Council on The concrete future objectives of education and training systems Document No 5980/01 EDUC 18, 14 February 2001.