Elementary Schooling in the Common Market

Abstract

University of Reading Reading, England In 1951 the Coal and Steel Community was founded with headquarters in Luxembourg. The Community was then composed of six member states-Belgium, France, Federal Germany, Italy, Luxembourg, and the Netherlands. In 1953, the officials working with the organization established a kindergarten for their children. In October of that year they opened a five-year elementary school and later still a seven-year secondary school (1). The schools were financed by the parents, who were assisted by the Coal and Steel Community and the government of Luxembourg. The cooperation between the member states became much more sophisticated when the Economic Community was established in 1958. About this time the school in Luxembourg was brought under the control of the Economic Community. Subsequently, as the scope of economic cooperation was extended, five other European schools were founded, and at the present time the establishment of two other schools is being considered. It is possible that by the 1973-74 academic year, English teachers will be working and English pupils will be studying at some of these schools. What type of education will be given at the