Anger over European school plans

The EC says schools would not be forced to accept the material

The Conservative Party has reacted angrily to reports that European Commission officials are considering giving Brussels a say in the schooling of British children.

The EC is reported to be drawing up plans for promoting the European Union in schools and youth groups in member countries.

The Tories have condemned the plans, saying they amount to "a first step to creating a single EU curriculum".

According to The Times newspaper, an official document lists more than 100 areas in which the EC could have an input in education and training in the 15 member countries.

It includes an assessment of the "European dimension" in the schooling of all pupils, starting from primary level.

The proposals are reported to include plans to make an EU cartoon strip available to schools.

'Minimal' involvement

Shadow Foreign Secretary Francis Maude is quoted as saying the document was effectively a "shopping list" designed to spread the EU's power into British schools.

"The attempt to develop modules for education is the first step to create a single EU curriculum.

"Education should be a local and national issue. The EU's involvement should be minimal."

But a spokesman for the EC said there was no intention of forcing schools to accept the material.

He said curriculums were the responsibility of national governments, and not a matter for the EC.