WRITTEN QUESTION E-2935/02

by Cristiana Muscardini (UEN), Roberta Angelilli (UEN)and Antonio Mussa (UEN) to the Commission

(17 October 2002)

Subject: Discrimination against Italian culture abroad

Is the Commission aware of the fact that musicians who have graduated from Italian conservatories with top marks and honours, have completed specialised courses in European schools and have experience as soloists are not admitted to European competitive examinations for the recruitment of teachers and cannot work in State schools?

This constitutes strong discrimination against these professional musicians who, precisely because of their competence, are often asked to teach the most popular instruments (violin, piano and guitar) in the best private schools, and bearing in mind the fact that the diploma is the only high-level qualification in Italy, is the Commission aware that there are therefore no alternative ways for young Italians to gain access to teaching, concert work, competitive examinations and orchestras?

Since all European countries, including those in eastern Europe, grant European-level recognition, except Italy, can the Commission draw up a directive providing for European recognition for graduates of Italian conservatories, putting their qualifications on an equal footing with those in other European countries, including eastern Europe?

Joint answerto Written Questions E-2935/02 and E-3024/02given by Mr Bolkestein on behalf of the Commission

(28 November 2002)

The recognition of teaching qualifications is governed by Council Directives 89/48/EEC(1) and 92/51/EEC(2). These Directives aim at allowing European nationals who already have a professional qualification in their Member State of origin, to practise their profession in another Member State. In order to benefit from the General System, it is necessary to be fully qualified for the exercise of a given profession in the Member State of origin.

As far as the Commission knows, the qualifications awarded by the Italian conservatories are not sufficient to have access to the profession of music teacher in Italy. In order to have access to this profession, it is necessary to possess also the teaching qualification (abilitazione), which can be

obtained by competition, examination or qualifying training course. Therefore, unless they have this further qualification, musicians who have graduated from the Italian conservatories cannot benefit from the Directives in order to exercise the teaching profession in other Member States, in which this profession is regulated. As far as concerts and orchestras are concerned, to the Commission's knowledge, the relevant professions are not regulated in other Member States. Therefore, graduates from the Italian conservatories should encounter no legal obstacle related to their diplomas in gaining access to these professions.

(1) Council Directive 89/48/EEC of 21 December 1988 on a general system for the recognition of higher-education diplomas awarded on completion of professional education and training of at least three years & apos duration, OJ L 19, 24.1.1989.

(2) Council Directive 92/51/EEC of 18 June 1992 on a second general system for the recognition of professional education and training to supplement Directive 89/48/EEC, OJ L 209, 24.7.1992.