Source: European Parliament
Question for written answer E-002794/2025
to the Commission
Rule 144
Nikos Pappas (The Left)
Education is a fundamental public good, with the EU committed – through Regulation (EU) 2021/817 – to promoting quality and equality. It is crucial that recent developments in private education do not undermine these objectives.
In recent years, there has been an increasing infiltration of foreign investment capital into private education in Member States such as Greece, Italy, Cyprus and the Netherlands. International investment groups are acquiring educational institutions, which raises questions about the impact on public education, equal access and social cohesion. In some cases, inequalities are increasing and there is a risk of ‘two-tier education’.
In view of the above:
- 1.How does the Commission assess the increasing presence of foreign investment capital in private education in the Member States and the possible impact on public education?
- 2.What measures does the Commission intend to put in place to ensure that the infiltration of foreign capital does not lead to inequalities in access to and quality of education provided?
- 3.How does the Commission intend to support Member States in strengthening and upgrading public education so that it remains competitive and attractive for students and their families?
Submitted: 9.7.2025