Andrew Lewer (ECR), in writing. ‒ The decision of the British Conservatives to vote against MEP Drăghici’s ‘Learning EU at school’ report reflects deep concerns about its overall premise and content. Its proposals go well beyond the supporting competence of the EU in the area of education, advocating a concerted effort by the Commission, Parliament and Member States to put more positive content about the EU into national curricula, rather than giving young people the necessary tools to develop their own conclusions. UK legislation requires schools to deal with political issues, including consideration of the EU, in a balanced way. It is up to schools to decide how to achieve this and for Member States alone to decide the content and organisation of their education systems.

In addition, we profoundly disagree with the report’s assumption that either pro-or anti-EU views are rooted in ignorance, or what is, or is not, taught in schools. The European Parliament must stick to supporting policy and best-practice exchange on education amongst Member States, where the EU can add real value.