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Mr Laurent Dominati
Strasbourg, 26 July 2011 Subject: European School in Strasbourg: request to create a working group to adapt to current and future needs Desired for many years, the European School in Strasbourg finally opened its doors in September 2009 thanks to the commitment of the French authorities. The immediate success of this school showed that it met a real need for this type of education in Strasbourg. Unfortunately, it is limited and it is now urgent that we find sustainable solutions in order to meet the needs of the families based in Strasbourg. Therefore, we appeal to you to establish a working group to re-evaluate all the possibilities of international education in Strasbourg. This working group would ideally include the Ministry of Education, the Inspection Académique, the Prefecture, the City of Strasbourg, the regional authorities in charge of education and the European Institutions, including the Council of Europe. In addition, the existing Steering Committee of the European School could be enlarged to include all stakeholders that, to date, are unfortunately excluded. In the letter we sent your delegation last year (see attached) we alerted you to the fact that the school was full after only two years of operation. Again this year, over 250 students were refused, some with brothers and sisters already in the school and others who had applied three consecutive years. Although this clearly demonstrates the excellence of the school, it also reflects the strong demand for this type of European education leading to the European Baccalaureate and highlights the lack of other local options available, which is incompatible for a city like Strasbourg with an undeniable international and European vocation. In view of this situation, we can not but agree that the situation deserves a new high-level debate to consider measures both in the short term, to better manage the actual shortage in terms of international/European education, and in the medium term, to overcome the Please note that there is also a shortage of places in the international sections and at the Lucie Berger school, the only other schools offering courses in English albeit with no alternative certification to the French Baccalaureate. The key issue is the new building of the European School. Current plans1 envisage that only accommodate 1000 students in total are clearly insufficient for the incorporation of only 75-100 new students on average per year with respect to the nearly 500 applications for admission each year at this school. We are also aware of the many applications for the International sections and and the bilingual sections of Lucie Berger school and although we are happy to broaden the debate on educational needs in Strasbourg, the first urgency is the discussion on the new European School project as it is just at the stage of choosing a contractor. We understand the financial implications of the needed enlargement of the future building of the European School would have but we strongly believe in the European mission of Strasbourg and, more widely, in the added value provided by this type of European education. We greatly appreciate the efforts of the French government to fully finance the current school as a public school but innovative initiatives that could address the shortage should not be blocked by the current status of the school. We believe further financial support would be forthcoming by those concerned in securing more places since Strasbourg is home to many international companies, hosts a world class university as well as interested individuals and European institutions such as the Council of Europe, which includes the European Court of Human Rights and the European Directorate for the Quality of Medicines. Back to the current situation we are facing, the difficult choice at the time of allocating scarce places available at the European School has apparently led to an admissions’ policy this year that gave preference to children of citizens of member states of the European Union. This has caused much resentment among the international community in Strasbourg, home to many families from countries outside the European Union, including academics, professionals, entrepreneurs as well as those working for the Council of Europe and the Permanent Representations of its member states. A clear definition of selection criteria, as well as transparency in their application, would prevent any future repetition of such controversy and facilitate the search for alternative solutions for applications that do not meet clearly defined minimum requirements. For the record, when the creation of a European school in Strasbourg was announced at the Council of Ministers of September 7, 2007, it was stated by Secretary of State for European Affairs2 in its Communication “Strasbourg. European City” that: "Strasbourg has developed a cross-border cooperation marked by exemplary actions.
That’s what we hope: exemplary actions, increased cross-border cooperation, a real European commitment that will imply the development of a European School which really meets the needs of Strasbourg. We are also addressing a similar letter to Mr. Jagland, Secretary General of the Council of Europe, Mme Dubourg-Lavroff, Directrice, Direction des relations européennes et internationales et de la coopération, Ministère de l’Education nationale as well as to Mr Ries, Mayor of Strasbourg and other relevant actors. In view of the urgency to strengthen the provision of quality international education in Strasbourg and convinced of your attention on this, the Amicale of the Council of Europe will highly appreciate, Ambassador Dominati, to grant us a meeting very soon to explore all the possible options. Amicale Education Cc:
Strasbourg, 12 July 2010 Subject: European school - full after only two years? Dear Ambassador, We would like to draw to your attention that over 350 children, including a considerable number from the diplomatic community and the Council of Europe, did not get a place at the European School Strasbourg for next year. Many of our children hoped to start their school cycle (primary or secondary) in the new school which is the only one in France to provide European education leading to the prestigious European Baccelaureat. An education the Council of Europe has fought so hard to bring to Strasbourg. The European School in Strasbourg finally became a reality in September 2008 with the official inauguration ceremony in the presence of high level representatives of the government, the City of Strasbourg and local and regional authorities as well as the Council of Europe and delegations. Where is this high-level commitment today? How is it possible that the new school already lacks the resources it needs after only two years? We urge you to take action with the relevant French authorities to allow the school a genuine opportunity to grow and become a real choice for the parents and children who wish to benefit from this type of schooling. This school truly could become a flagship for European education, something France has been working towards for many years. We believe that this type of education is the way forward and hope to be able to count on your support on this very important issue. We are also addressing a similar letter to the Secretary General of the Council of Europe, Mr. Jagland, as well as to the Mayor of Strasbourg, Mr Ries, the Representative of France to the European schools Board of Governors, Mr Vial and other relevant actors. On behalf of many concerned parents living in Strasbourg, Capital of Europe. Amicale Education Cc.
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