Grant Support
of Education in the Czech Republic and the Social cohesion policy of the EU
Introduction
The
Social cohesion policy of the EU
The European Union associates states of different economic potential.
This different comes to the fore in context of its additional broadening.
Realization of the basic aims of the EU is bound up with reduction of disparities
between the levels of development of the various regions. The Social policy of
the EU is a modern phenomenon. It has been evolving in sequence because the
Member States have for a relatively long time an exclusive power over the
territory to decide on its Social policy without dependence on the EU.
The Social law of the EU includes rules which determinate, execute and
guarantee social rights and duties of each individual.
Enactment of social rules is limited by the principle of subsidiarity[1]
but in the context of increasing globalization is more important to make
decision on Community scale. At this time, the EU prefers to unify legal
regulations of the Member States through the Open Method of co-ordination.
The Social cohesion policy and
Education
The main role of the EU in Education
is established in primary law of the EU – in the Treaty on European Union
(1997), especially Article 149[2] and Article 140, [3] and in The Charter of Fundamental
Rights of the European Union (2000), Article 14[4], which proclaims generally rights
to education and each gratuitousness. The EU on purpose is encouraging
multinational education and student exchanges, innovative projects of
education, platforms for dialog and consultation. Within the framework of the
Social policy, especially education, the EU does not tend to an unified policy
for each Member States (the EU fully respecting the responsibility of the
Member States for the content of teaching and the organization of education
system) but prefers mutual cooperation between Member States, supports and
supplements their action if necessary. The EU for many years has financed
different programs that with the European Social Fund help to advance education
and improvement of intelligence of others states. The activities of the Community shall include
a contribution to education and training of quality and to the flowering of the
cultures of the Member States.
Measures and Instruments
encouragement for the establishment and development of education conform to
importance of this area. In order to
contribute to the achievement of the objectives referred, the Council acting in accordance with the procedure referred to in Article 251,
after consulting the Economic and Social Commitee and the Commitee of the
Regions, shall adopt incentive measures, excluding any harmonisation of the
laws and regulations of the Member States, and acting by a qualified majority
on proposal from the Commition, shall adopt recommendations.
The aims of encouragement and development are described in the Green
Paper (COM (2007(161).[5]
The conclusions of the Council about the White Paper (UL C 195/1) are also very
important, that accept the White Paper as a starting point for next discusion
about general and vocational education. The Community shall implement a
vocational training policy which shall support and supplement the action of the
Member States while fully respecting the responsibility of the Member States
for the content and organisation of vacctional training. Community action shall
aim to improve initial and continuing vocational training in order to
facilitate vocational integration and reintegration into the labor market, to
simulate cooperation on treaining between educational or training
establishments and firms, to develop exchanges of information and experience on
issues common to the training systems of the Member States (Article 150
Treaty).
Likewise in the high education, that fall within the authority of
vocational education, are realizing an
importance of initiatives like programmes ERASMUS, TEMPUS, LINGUA, TEMPUS II,
SOCRATES, EUROTECNET, FORCE, LEONARDO DA VINCI atc.
Economic and Social cohesion policy
and Structural Funds
The origins of economic and social
cohesion go back to the Treaty of Rome where a reference was made in the
preamble to reduce disparities in development between the regions. However, it
was not until the seventies that Community action was taken to coordinate the
national instruments and provide additional financial resources. Subsequently
these measures proved inadequate given the situation in the Community where the
establishment of the internal market, contrary to forecasts, had failed to even
out the differences between regions. With the adoption of the Single European
Act in 1986, economic and social cohesion proper was made an objective, as well
as the single market. In the preparation of economic and monetary union, this
provided a legal basis from 1988 onwards for Community action to become the
central pillar of a comprehensive development policy. The Maastricht Treaty
finally incorporated the policy into the Treaty establishing the European
Community (Articles 130a to 130e, now renumbered 158 to 162). It is an
expression of solidarity between the
The future of economic and social cohesion was one of the major issues
discussed in the Commission's Agenda 2000 communication (presented on 15 July
1997) and the EU´s priority objectives for some years now are resulted in
the Third Cohesion report from February 2004. By promoting cohesion, the
The principles underpinning of grant-in-aid
is that Communisty assistance to be additional to national funding and not to
replace it. Each Member States must maintain their own public expenditure at
least at the level at it was in the preceding period.
Structural Funds
Structural Funds play an important role in economic policy of the
Community Framework programmes of the EU.
The Structural Funds represent basic financial instruments of the support that
main function is to guarantee progress of education, research and development
and that way assist with the economic, social and cultural developement of the
EU.
Four types of Structural Funds have
been introduced over the years, as the process of building
- The European Regional Development
Fund (ERDF) contributes mainly to assisting the regions which development is
lagging behind and those undergoing economic conversion or experiencing
structural difficulties;
- The European Social Fund (ESF)
mainly provides assistance under the European
employment strategy ;
- The European Agricultural Guidance
and Guarantee Fund.(EAGGF) Guidance Section helps in both the development and
the structural adjustment of rural areas that development is lagging behind by
improving the efficiency of their structures for producing, processing and
marketing agricultural and forest products ;
- The Financial Instrument for
Fisheries Guidance (FIFG) supports restructuring in the fisheries sector.
The Structural Funds are conceived
as a out of budget funds which consist of confirmed income of each
Policy of economic and social
cohesion in the European Union is guarantee by a quite number of legal acts.
Measures concerning implementation of structural assistance are laying down in
Council regulation. Regulations are the strongest form of Community
legislation. They have general application, are binding in their entirety and
are directly applicable in all Member States Council regulation obligate each
Transformation of financial recourses of the European Union
The financial perspective EU for
years 2007-2013 was approved on summit of European Council from 16 December
2005. The
Transformation of financial
recourses of the European Union to municipal territory is being realized with
some problems through the way according the chapters of the state budget and
state funds. Not really satisfactory evidence while realizing relatively small
amount of financial resources in proceeding years led to searching new ways
that would help to use more grant through to National Strategic Reference
Framework 2007-2013.[10]
The National Strategic Reference Framework (NSRF) represents the basic
programme document of the
In framework policy is important
Community Support Framework (CSF), document approved by the Commission in
agreement with the Member State concerned, which contains both the Member
State's and the Funds' strategy and priorities for action, their specific
objectives, the contribution from the Funds and the other financial resources
according to National Development Plan. CSF supports coordination of all
contribution from the Funds. Community Support Frameworks (CSFs) are translated
into Ooperational Programmes (Ops) and Single Programming Documents ( SPDs). On
this basic may the CR use about 1,454 mld. Euro for supporting all-around
development of regions.
The National Co - ordination
Authority is the Ministry for Regional Development of the CR which ensures
negotiation between the European Commission and is fully responsible for the
proper and effective management of the programme and implementation of aid in
accordance with European Union regulations and national standards, for efficiency,
accuracy proceedings, operations of regulation and accuracy coordination of
contribution in frame of policy of economic and social cohesion. The individual
authorities of the Operational Programmes implementation structure are set forth
below. The settings are performed in a spirit of simplicity, transparency and
direct legal ties. The principle of separation of activities among authorities
was respected in accordance with Articles 59 to 63 of Council Regulation (EC)No
1083/2006 In accordance with Czech Republic Government Resolution No 198/2006,
the Ministry of Regional Development has been authorized to act as the
coordination and methodological body of the Cohesion Policy National Framework,
the Ministry of Finance has been authorized to act as a sole Payment Authority
and Certifying Authority for implementation of the aid from structural funds
and the Cohesion Fund. The Ministry of Education, Youth and Sports has been in
accordance with Article 59 §1a of Council Regulation (EC)No 1083/2006 and Czech
Republic Government Resolution No 175/2006, authorized to act as the Managing
Authority of the Education for Competitiveness OP[11].
Financial support in education
The support of the EU in education
is realized mainly through European social fund (ESF) which became the main
source of financial support upon accession the
The resources provided by the
European Commission to finance the European Social Fund programmes are
administered by the Ministry of Finance. The European Commission shall send
these resources to the account of the Payment Authority and Certifying
Authority. Financial flows shall be ensured via the national budget of the
Operational Programme “Education for Competitiveness”
In relation to strategic objectives
of the NSRF and with regard to the high degree of complexity of the issue of
education, the
This Operational Programme focuses
on support in areas that will contribute to developing the potential of the
Czech Republic´s population and to the creation of suitable conditions
for education and learning. EC OP defines the focus and depth of interventions
in the area of human resource development by means of education in all of its
various forms with an emphasis on a comprehensive system of lifelong learning,
on forming a suitable environment for research, development and innovation
activities and on the stimulation of co-operation between educational
institutions and the research and production spheres.
In terms of initial education, this
programme will support activities focused on the improvement of quality in
education, in terms of tertiary education, research and development, the
programme will support activities focused on the modernization and greater appeal
of tertiary professional education and higher education, raising the profile
and improving conditions for research and development staff, establishing
mutual relationship between the respective entities – educational and research
and development institutions, public and private sector, ect.[14]
The Education for Competitiveness OP has
been prepared in accordance with Council Regulation (EC) No 1083/2006 and
Council Regulation (EC) No 1081/2006, and is full compliance with Czech
Republic Government Resolution No 175/2006 of 22 February 2006.
EC OP financial plan shall be based
on the financial plan of allocation for the Czech Republic under the Covergence
and regional Competitiveness and Employment Objectives in the 2007-2013
programming period, and reflect the financial framework of NSRF, which
determines the distribution of resources from structural Funds and the Cohesion
Fund to individual Operational Programmes. Within the framework of the general
financial plan, 7% of resources for the Convergence Objective from EU
Structural Funds, i.e. E 1.8118 billion have been allocated to the EC OP. The co-financing rate from ESF will reach up
to 85% of the total eligible public expenditure, the remaining 15% of the
financial resources will be paid from national resources.
EC OP is an Operational Programme
directly dealing with the issues relating to development education. Settlement
of issue shall be supported by additional Operational Programmes as well,
particularly Human Resources and
Employment OP, which is funded from ESF,
and Research and Development for
Innovation OP[15]
and Enterprise and Innovation OP,
supported from ERDF.
In the end it is important to make
reference about the 7th
Framework Programme, which is primarily focused on human resource development
with a European and worldwide scope.
In 2005 the Ministry of Education, Youth and Sports, the
Managing Authority, realized and coordinated 156 projects that have been
authorized for financial support from ESF.
Conclusion
The total amount of educational
expenses are different according to each country and its economic, culture,
historic and social development. Quality of any education system dependences on
sufficiency public investment. It is essential for the
Literature
Tomeš,
Tichý, L.,
aj.:Evropské právo, 1.vydání, Praha, C.H.Beck,
1999, ISBN 80-7179-113-X
MŠMT ČR, editor
ÚIV: S novým školským zákonem, Díl.I.:
Vzdělání v roce 2005 v datech, MŠMT Praha 2006, ISBN
80-211-0518-6
Národní
lisabonský program 2005-2008, Národní program reforem
ČR
Charta základních
práv EU 2000
Smlouva ES z roku 1997
Evropský sociální
fond, zdroj internetové stránky www.esfr.cz
MŠMT Operační
program Vzdělání pro konkurenceschopnost, zdroj www.msmt.cz
Ústav pro informace ve
vzdělání, zdroj www.uiv.cz
General provosions on the Structural
Funds, zdroj: http:// europa.eu/scadplus/leg/en/lub/htm
[1] The subsidiarity principle is intended to ensure that decisions are
taken as closely as possible to the citizen and that constant checks are made
as to whether action at Community level is justified in the light of the
possibilities available at national, regional or local level. Specifically, it
is the principle whereby the Union does not take action (except in the areas
which fall within its exclusive competence) unless it is more effective than
action taken at national, regional or local level. It is closely bound up with
the principles of proportionality and necessity, which require that any action
by the Union should not go beyond what is necessary to achieve the objectives
of the Treaty
[2] Article 149 Treaty of Nice
1.
The Community shall contribute to the development of
quality education by encouraging cooperation beetween Member States and, if
necessary, by supporting and supplementing their action, while rully respecting
the responsibility of Member states for the content of teaching and the
organisation system and their cultural and linguistic diversity.
2.
Comuuunity
action shall be aimed at:
-
developing
the European dimension in education, particulary trhough the teaching and
dissemination og the languages of the member States;
-
encouraging
mobility of students and teachers, inter alia by encouraging the academic
recognition of diplomas and periods study;
-
promoting
cooperation between educational establichments;
-
developing
exchanges of information and experience on issues common to the education
system of the Member States;
-
encouraging
the development of youth exchanges and of exchanges of socioeducational
instructors;
-
encouraging
the development of distance education
3.
The Community
and the Member States shall foster cooperation with third countries and the
competent international organisations in the field of education, in particular
the Council of Europe.
4.
In
order to contribute to the achievement of the objectives referred to in this
Article, the Council:
-
acting
in accordance with the procedure referred to in
Article 251, after consulting the Economic and Cocial Commitee and the
Commitee of the Regions, ahall adopt incentive measures, excludind any
harmonisation of the laws and regulations of the Member States;
-
acting
by a qualified majority on proposal from the Commition, ahall adopt
recommendations.
[3] The Treaty of Nice, Article 140
With a view to achieving the objectives of
Article 136 and without prejudice to the other provisions of this Treaty, the
Commission shall encourage cooperation between the Member States and facilitate
the coordination of their action in all social policy field under this chapter,
particularly in matters relating to:
-
employment;
-
labour
law and working conditions;
-
basic
and advanced vocational training;
-
social
security;
-
prevention
of occupational accidents and diseases;
-
occupational
hygiene;
-
the
right of association and collective bargaining between employers and workers.
To this and, the Commission shall act in close contact with Member States by making studies, delivering opinions and arranging consultations both on problems arising at national level and on those of concern to international organizations. Before delivering the opinions provided for in this Article, the Commission shall consult the Economic and Social Committee.r
[4] Charter of Fundamentals Rights of the European Union, Artikle 14 Right to education
1.
Everyone
has the right to education and to have access to vocational and continuing
training.
2.
This
right includes the possibility to receive free compulsory education.
3.
The
freedom to found educational establishments with due respect for democratic
principles and the right of parents to ensure the education and teaching of
their children in conformity with their religious, philosophical and
pedagogical convictions shall be respected, in accordance with the national
laws governing the exercise of such freedom and right.
[5] Tichý, L. .aj. Evropské právo, 1. vydání, Praha, C.H. BECK 1999, 915 s., ISBN 80-7179-113-X
[6] General provosions on the Structural Funds : http:// europa.eu/scadplus/leg/en/lub/htm
[7] General provosions on the Structural Funds : http:// europa.eu/scadplus/leg/en/lub/htm
[8] Commission Regulation (EC) No 438/2001 of March 2001 laying down detailed rules for the implementation of Council regulation (EC) No 1260/1999 which laying down general provision on the Structural Funds
[9] In case of the Czech Republic i tis 3,43 % GDP
[10] The maxima measure of cofinancing is for the CR in case Structural Funds 85 % from European Funds and 15 % from national resources
[11] Operational Programme Education for Competitiveness, September 2007
[12] The National Education Development Programme formulates thought bases, general intentions and development programmes that should be authoritative for the developmennt of educational systém in the CR
[13] The 2005 Long term Development Plan formuled by the Ministry of Education, Youth and Sport sis targeted at progress and development in specific components of individul areas
[14] Operational Programme Education for Competitiveness, September 2007
[15] Priority axis focused on promoting the research and development capacities, pole sof excellence and supporting in non-industrial branches.