Education for the knowledge economy

Keywords Information systems, Schools, Internet

The European Commission wishes to encourage member states to use money granted to them under the EU structural funds to provide information-technology equipment and training for teachers, and to set up multi-use local centres,accessible to everyone. The Commission also favours closer collaboration with the European Investment Bank to strengthen the European multimedia industries,and particularly their contribution to education and training. In addition, the Commission wishes to establish an e-learning site on the Internet, to promote the exchange of good practice.

European Commissioner Erkki Liikanen, responsible for the information society, wishes to see all schools in the EU connected to the Internet by the end of next year. He said: "Recent statistics show that if schools are connected to the Internet, families with children acquire the necessary computer hardware". He wishes all children to use the Internet as part of their daily learning, and teachers to be trained to exploit the full potential of the Internet. He also wishes to promote access to the Internet for the disabled.