The future of Europe is based on a foundation of shared knowledge: a pooling of the skills and talents of all its citizens. Furthermore, in order to understand society and the world and for the purposes of day-to-day interaction, each person needs to receive an education in basic skills. Acquiring these forms part of the objective of an education and training for all. This is the challenge that, together, the Ministers for Education are attempting to meet.
Young people’s attainment levels: worrying statistics
In the face of the requirements of a modern, globalised society, it is particularly worrying to note that one in four young Europeans has not reached a reading level that would enable them to meet the requirements of the knowledge society and lifelong learning. In 2006, the PISA study showed that a fifth of young Europeans did not have the basic skills required in order to use mathematics effectively.
These indicators demonstrate to us the need to identify the multiple causes of low levels of basic skills, and to increase concerted efforts to put this right and allow each individual to achieve independence.
At the summit that took place in spring 2009, the Heads of State and Government again declared the importance of effective education policies. These are drawn up by each country, but their objectives, as well as good practices, are shared. Among the challenges, increasing levels of basic skills and tackling the issue of early school leaving are definite priorities.
Ministerial meeting organised by the French Community of Belgium
Within the framework of the Belgian Presidency of the European Council, on 9 July the French-speaking Minister for Compulsory Education will meet her European counterparts for an exchange of experiences and points of view on these issues, and in order to look at the policy approaches to be developed in this area.
What resources should be used?
The EU has allocated some seven billion euros to its programmes on lifelong education and training for the 2007-2013 period. In addition, the EU 2020 Strategy has set as one of its major objectives a reduction in early school leaving (ESL) to 10% over the next ten years. In 2008, the school drop-out rate was 14.9% (compared with 17.6% in 2000).
Through the new strategy Education and Training 2020, the European Union is paving the way for education for all and better opportunities for every individual.
Seminar of the Ministers for Compulsory Education – 9 July 2010