EN Official Journal of the European Union CE 70/128

(2004/C 70 E/130)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2685/03

by Alexandros Alavanos (GUE/NGL) to the Commission

(10 September 2003)

Subject: Development of workshops in Greek technical education — Action 5.2 of the second Operational Programme for Education and Initial Vocational Training in the third CSF

In Greece's technical schools there are 13 sections with 40 areas of expertise operating at the first level of studies and another 40 areas of expertise at the second level. In its reply to my question E-1208/03 (1), the Commission said that ‘during the first two years of implementation of the operational programme, an amount of EUR 4 440 000 000 was spent on the procurement of basic workshop equipment’.

Could the Commission answer the following questions:

(a) What type of workshop equipment was the above-mentioned EUR 4 440 000 000 spent on?

(b) Which areas of expertise and sectors did the above-mentioned workshop equipment cover?

(c) Since there are many different types of workshop, did the specifications under which the workshop equipment was provided relate to basic workshop equipment per workshop (e.g. types and number) or were there detailed specifications for the various types of workshop, approved by the Educational Institute and the Ministry of Education?

(d) What stage has been reached in the training of trainers and the development of educational and training tools for the specialised workshops in technical schools?

(e) Who is the final beneficiary of the project, given the fact that this has not yet been announced by the special managing authority?

Answer given by Mr Barnier on behalf of the Commission

(13 November 2003)

The Honourable Member is informed that the Greek authorities have provided information confirming that the sum of EUR 4 440 000 000 for the procurement of basic workshop equipment is not, in fact, co-financed by the Community through the operational programme ‘Education and initial vocational training’ or any other operational programme. This represents a correction to the information provided to the Commission by these authorities in the context of the reply to the Honourable Member's written question E-l208/03. This means that the entire amount has been exclusively funded through the national budget.

The Commission, therefore, cannot comment on this expenditure and on the related workshop equipment (questions a and b).

The only action for the development of workshops in Greek technical education is contained within the operational programme ‘Education and initial vocational training’. Action 5.2.5 ‘Development of Technical Vocational Education (TEE) and School Laboratory Centres (ΣΕΚ)’, of the operational programme addresses needs in this sector with a total budget of EUR 78 000 000.

Actions will be financed within the framework of national specifications for workshop equipment. The implementation of these actions (training of trainers etc.) has not yet begun since a final beneficiary for the action 5.2.5 has not yet been selected. In this regard, a call for expressions of interest launched on 25 August 2003 by the Managing Authority is still pending. The delay for the submission of proposals ended on 15 October 2003 and it is to be expected that the bid to be retained will be announced in the near future.

(1) OJ C 11 E, 15.1.2004, p. 166.