WRITTEN QUESTION E-2935/02 by Cristiana Muscardini (UEN), Roberta Angelilli (UEN)and Antonio Mussa (UEN) to the Commission. Discrimination against Italian culture abroad.
Date: 2002-10-17
Institutions: European Parliament, Provisional data
Subjects: EU Member State, Italy, artistic profession, music, professional qualifications, recognition of diplomas, teacher

8.5.2003

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

C 110 E/129

(2003/C 110 E/147)

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?

(2003/C 110 E/148)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-3024/02

by Cristiana Muscardini (UEN) to the Commission

(23 October 2002)

Subject: Freedom of establishment for graduates of Italian academies of music

Pupils of Italian academies of music who obtained top marks in their examinations and graduated with
merit or the highest distinction, and who have the benefit of postgraduate training at Parisian schools and
experience as soloists, are not eligible to enter European competitions or be employed in European state
schools as teachers.

Can the Commission say:

1. Whether it knows the reasons (be they to do with rules or of a procedural nature) for this debarment?

2. Who was empowered to make the exception to mutual recognition of qualifications?

3. Whether this unfortunate situation has arisen from any negligence on the part of

the Italian

authorities?

4. What steps should be taken to enable the graduates concerned to work as teachers in Member States?

Joint answer
to Written Questions E-2935/02 and E-3024/02
given 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,