Reding unveils eLearning plan

Date: 29/03/01

By John Shelley

CULTURE chief Viviane Reding has announced the steps the European Union is to take to meet its ambitious targets on computer training for children and adults.

The Luxembourger yesterday (28 March) published her eLearning action plan outlining how the Union will honour its pledge to provide all schools with Internet access by the end of the year, to increase the number of computers per pupil and to make sure everyone has access to IT training.

She suggests around 30 measures, including launching a website and introducing a European diploma for IT skills, as well as a range of programmes for supporting various aspects of computer education and training. These will have to be paid for under existing funding schemes.

"Existing initiatives to enhance public access to IT and to exploit digital opportunities in public services are simply not meeting citizens' needs," said Social Affairs Commissioner Anna Diamantopoulou, who jointly drew up the plans with Reding.