Slovenian, Italian ministers propose minority education task force
Bologna, 23 February - Slovenian Education Minister Simona Kustec and her Italian counterpart Patrizio Bianchi urged the formation of a task force for cooperation in minority eduction that would address open issues, as they met in Bologna, Italy on Wednesday.
"This is an important step forward because we will jointly address the open issues to resolve them as they emerge," Kustec was quoted by the Education Ministry as saying.
She also labelled it as a sign of excellent bilateral cooperation.
The ministers moreover discussed the appointment procedure for the head of the Office for Slovenian Schools in the Italian region of Friuli Venezia Giulia.
They agreed to formalise the appointment procedure, which will give the office, which is part of the Regional Education Office, "an appropriate place within the autonomous minority education".
Since discussions are being held both in Slovenia and Italy on a reform of vocational education, Kustec and Bianchi also agreed to enhance cooperation in this field at expert level.
"I believe that together, we will come up with a number of proposals which we will then be able to introduce into our education system," said Kustec.
Following their bilateral meeting, Kustec and Bianchi plus European Commissioner Mariya Gabriel visited a kindergarten which boasts excellent pre-school education.
The three officials also attended a conference to discuss investment in education and pre-school education together with their counterparts from Spain and Cyprus.