Doc. 9920

19 September 2003

Education for gifted children

Written Question No. 429 to the Chair of the Committee of Ministers

Reply from the Chair of the Committee of Ministers

I. Written Question No. 429 by Mr Varela i Serra (Doc. 9857)

To ask the Chairman of the Committee of Ministers,

What tangible measures have been taken by each of the governments of signatory States to the European Cultural Convention as in follow-up to Recommendation 1248 (1994) on Education for gifted children.

II. Reply by the Chairperson of the Committee of Ministers

1.       The Chairman of the Committee of Ministers welcomes this request for information on the tangible measures taken by the signatory states of the European Cultural Convention concerning Assembly’s Recommendation 1248 on the Education of gifted children.

2.       Gifted children may indeed face certain specific problems in the regular education system for ordinary children. But, as is stated in the reply to Recommendation 1248, the Council of Europe considers that this is a question to be dealt with by member states themselves. The matter has not therefore been part of the Council of Europe’s intergovernmental programme of activities.

3.       The experience of several Council of Europe projects, particularly those in the field of intercultural education and secondary school education shows that the diversification of pupils, and the corresponding diversification of needs, is an important factor which has been increasingly taken into account in the education reforms under way in the member states. The search for a balance between fulfilling the aims and general objectives of the education systems and meeting specific needs is generally at the core of reform strategies.

4.       It is true that the concept of “gifted children” covers a wide range of situations and needs to be clarified. However, in the view of the priorities already agreed upon and of budgetary constraints, the Committee of Ministers has not considered it appropriate to examine these issues in the framework of the intergovernmental programme of activities.