“We need to let teachers be teachers. We need to empower teachers to be creative, innovative and professional in their work. We need to give teachers what they really need: respect, trust and continuous professional development and support. The primary focus of European policies in education and training should not only be about employment and employability but also about supporting teachers.”

MEP Therese Comodini Cachia made these remarks during a plenary debate at the European Parliament following-up on the Strategic Framework for European cooperation in education and training (ET2020).

Comodini Cachia remarked that within ET2020 the EU must push Member States towards providing quality continuous training to teachers, to establish structures that support teachers and trust them to address appropriately the diversity of skills and abilities that their students present them with. Member States should also provide teachers with education tools and materials that facilitate effective learning. Comodini Cachia appealed for the removal of needless administrative bureaucracy and oversight so that teachers can focus their energy on educating.

She added that "most importantly we need to recognize teachers as key partners in that investment in human capital (education) which we all agree is the best investment for a more just society and a stronger Europe. Most teachers are a silent driving force in addressing today’s multifaceted society with all its complex challenges and thus we should be investing more in our teachers so that they become front runners in the kind of society, and the kind of Europe, we aspire for."

Therese Comodini Cachia is member of the Culture and Education Committee within the European Parliament and is PN Shadow Minister for Education and Employment.