Remedies in Education Part-I

 

Europe's ability to compete in a world of global networks will depend to an ever increasing extent on the scientific and technological education of its citizens. The Committee of Ministers should encourage member States to devote greater attention than in the past to this kind of basic education at school and in the educational system. In addition, prerequisites for lifelong development and refreshment of science and technology literacy will have to be created and promoted in the educational system as a whole.

Scientific issues should not be presented at schools just here and there, in bits and pieces, but rather in their full context. Young people should not be trained as narrow-track specialists, but rather to learn how to understand the influence of science and technology on our world in a comprehensive manner. Teachers should show how the meaningful use of science and technology could help to solve major problems facing mankind.

Young people need to learn how to learn as well as to acquire and apply knowledge (learning how to know). They need to learn how to think and act independently. They need to be able to recognize interrelationships and to select what is relevant from the flood of information available. They should learn to proceed correctly, using scientific methods in the process of making judgement and presenting arguments. Schools should offer all pupils free access to the new technologies (e.g. on the Internet) - also from home wherever this is possible.