ZAGREB, April 14 (Xinhua) -- The European Union (EU) states are split on whether to open schools by the end of May or finish this school year online, Croatian Minister of Science and Education Blazenka Divjak told reporters on Tuesday after a video conference of European education ministers.
She explained that half of the EU member states are considering to follow recommendations of their epidemiologists and bring back students to schools by the end of May, while the other half contemplate finishing the academic year in the online form.
Croatia took over the rotating presidency of the Council of the European Union on Jan. 1. Ministers from 27 EU member states, as well as ministers from Norway, Switzerland, and Iceland, participated in the conference.
"Coordination is necessary to enable high-grade education and finish of the school and academic year in this difficult situation, and no member state said that this year would not be recognized," the Croatian minister told reporters after the four-hour conference.
EU universities will be required to have a flexible approach and to accept the fact that this year is different from others and to take into account the situation in all member states.
Divjak said that all countries have problems with unequal opportunities in online education, primarily because not all students have access to the internet.
"The most developed countries are also experiencing these problems and it is expected that the European Commission will provide funds to procure the missing equipment and finance a common online platform at the European Union level," the minister said, noting that all students who wish to enroll in one of the EU countries will be able to do so.
School graduation in Croatia is scheduled in June, while in other member states in late May, July, and August.
