This weekly news post is to keep UK institutions updated on disruptions across the EU Europe region caused by the Covid-19 pandemic. Posts will focus on nine priority countries, depending on updates we receive from our experts in these countries: Bulgaria, Cyprus, France, Germany, Greece, Italy, Poland, Romania and Spain. For last week's update, please click here.

This week (click below to jump to country):

• Bulgaria: Ministry of Education releases download figures from new National Digital Library
• Cyprus: Government begins repatriation programme for Cypriots overseas, including students
• Romania: State of Emergency extended until 15 May; national exams to be based on first semester of this year.

IELTS tests have been affected in all countries in Europe as a result of Covid-19 precautions. For the latest update by country, please check: https://www.ielts.org/news/2020/changes-to-ielts-test-arrangements-in-some-locations-due-to-novel-coronavirus. We are monitoring the situation very closely and will continue to provide updates as the situation develops.

The British Council supports members of the UK and EU higher education and cultural sectors working and achieving success together. The health and safety of our visitors, staff and the people we work with is our top priority and we support and cooperate with local government agencies to put all necessary measures in place to ensure the continued well-being of everyone we work with.

Please do not hesitate to contact myself or any of our country leads if you have any feedback or questions.

Thank you - and stay safe.

Almut Caspary – Higher Education and Research Lead, EU Europe (Almut.Caspary@britishcouncil.org).

BULGARIA

Updated 14 April

On 11 April, it became mandatory to wear a face mask in public places in Bulgaria. The state of emergency continues.

School and university closures and examinations

There have been no new updates or changes in the situation in Bulgaria regarding Covid-19 and deadlines or examinations in secondary and HE. Schools and universities remain closed across the country.

Online and remote education provision

Last week, the Ministry of Education and Science launched a National Digital Library for teachers, with more than 2,300 resources and over 4,000 files. The Ministry has since announced that there were over 130,000 downloads from the site in its first week. The site enables 80,000 teachers and hundreds of experts across Bulgaria to share materials in different formats.

Contact

For more information and insights about the situation in Bulgaria, please contact Ivaylo Slavov, Manager Higher Education and Science, Bulgaria (Ivaylo.Slavov@britishcouncil.bg).

CYPRUS

Updated 14 April

School and university closures and examinations

Schools and universities across Cyprus remain closed and no decision has yet been taken on how and when Pancyprian examinations (for Lyceum students) will take place.

International students and Cypriot students abroad

The President of the Republic of Cyprus Mr Nicos Anastasiades has announced a programme of gradual and controlled repatriation, prepared by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, for students, citizens and legal residents. Travellers will be tested for Covid-19 on arrival in Cyprus and 2,000 hotel rooms have been designated for people under mandatory supervision, with priority given to vulnerable groups on the basis of relevant decisions of the medical council.

Other insights

Further information can be found from these sources:

• Ministry of Education: www.moec.gov.cy
• Press and Information office: https://www.pio.gov.cy/en/ and https://www.pio.gov.cy/coronavirus/
• Rectors Conference: https://www.cyrectors.ac.cy/index.php/en/home-page
• Cyprus QAA: https://www.dipae.ac.cy/index.php/en/

Contact

For more insights and information on the situation in Cyprus, please contact Pantelitsa Michael, Higher Education Lead, Cyprus (pantelitsa.michael@cy.britishcouncil.org).

ROMANIA

Updated 14 April 2020

As of 14 April, Romania had reported 6,879 Covid-19 cases and 346 deaths from Covid-19, with 246 new cases in the past 24 hours. Most cases have been confirmed in the city of Suceava located in Moldova (North-Eastern Romania), followed by Bucharest. Outside of Romania, 703 Romanian citizens have also been diagnosed with COVID-19, most of them in Italy and Spain, and 47 have lost their lives. The majority of those in institutional or observed home quarantine are Romanian migrants who recently returned from countries including the UK. Authorities expect cases in Romania to reach their peak towards the end of April to the beginning of May.

School and university closures

On 14 April, Romania’s president Klaus Iohannis extended the Covid-19 state of emergency for another month. All existing restrictions remain in place, including over Orthodox Easter (celebrated this coming weekend). This means that schools and universities will remain closed until at least 15 May.

Examinations

On 14 April, Romania’s Education Minister Monica Ansie signed an order stating that the Baccalaureate and National Assessment examinations will be based on content taught in the first semester of the school year. The Minister also said exams may be taken in July, depending on when the state of emergency is lifted.

In her speech, the Minister reminded students that the Ministry of Education and Research offers five training tests while courses are suspended. The next set will be published on 22 April.

Other insights: UK education in the media

Romanian media (e.g. Edupedu.ro) have picked up reports (HEPI analysis and others) that UK universities expect a drastic decrease in the number of international students in 2020-21 because of the pandemic.

Contact

For more information an insights into the situation in Romania, please contact Gabriel Ivan, Higher Education Lead for Romania (gabriel.ivan@britishcouncil.ro).