[pic] | COMMISSION OF THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITIES |

Brussels, 12.11.2007

COM(2007) 703 final

COMMUNICATION FROM THE COMMISSION TO THE COUNCIL, THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT, THE EUROPEAN ECONOMIC AND SOCIAL COMMITTEE AND THE COMMITTEE OF THE REGIONS

Delivering lifelong learning for knowledge, creativity and innovation Draft 2008 joint progress report of the Council and the Commission on the implementation of the “Education & Training 2010 work programme”{SEC(2007) 1484}

1. INTRODUCTION

Education and training are crucial to economic and social change. The flexibility and security needed to achieve more and better jobs depend on ensuring that all citizens acquire key competences and update their skills throughout their lives.[1] Lifelong learning supports creativity and innovation and enables full economic and social participation.

That is why the Council set itself ambitious objectives in the Education and Training 2010 work programme. In turn, these support the achievement of the Lisbon guidelines for jobs and growth. These objectives can only be achieved by sustained long term effort. Inevitably, progress will be uneven. It is to identify achievements and to direct effort to areas that are proving more difficult that the Council and the Commission prepare a joint report every second year.

This contribution to the 3rd Joint Report[2] points to significant progress and challenges in education and training reforms. The following areas will need particular effort:

- Raising skill levels. People with low skill levels are at risk of economic and social exclusion. Continued high levels of early school leaving, low participation in lifelong learning by older workers and the low-skilled, and poor skill achievement among migrants cause concern in most countries. Further, future labour markets in a knowledge-based economy will demand ever higher skill levels from a shrinking work force. Low skills will become an ever greater challenge;

- Lifelong learning strategies. Most countries have made progress in defining unified and overarching strategies. Within such frameworks, progress is evident in pre-primary education, qualification frameworks and the validation of non-formal and informal learning. However, innovative learning partnerships and sustainable funding for high quality, efficient and equitable education and training[3] still elude many countries, the more so as the growth of investment appears to have slowed. Ensuring that reforms are effectively implemented is an important challenge to all;

- The knowledge triangle (education, research and innovation). The knowledge triangle plays a key role in boosting jobs and growth. So it is so important to accelerate reform, to promote excellence in higher education and university-business partnerships and to ensure that all sectors of education and training play their full role in promoting creativity and innovation.

2. PROGRESS HAS BEEN MADE IN A NUMBER OF AREAS

Europe has registered progress in a number of areas. This does not mean that progress is uniform or that efforts can be relaxed. The pace of reform remains a major challenge. But in the following areas most countries have put reforms in place or are in the process of doing so.

2.1. Lifelong learning strategies and qualifications systems

Explicit lifelong learning strategies, [4] which set out national policy priorities and how different sectors relate to each other, were developed by the majority of countries.[5]

Most of these incorporate a comprehensive vision of lifelong learning, covering all types and levels of education and training. Some, however, focus on formal education and training systems or on developing specific stages of the lifelong learning continuum.

There are signs that the evidence base of education and training policies is being strengthened.[6] This is necessary for the overall coherence of systems and for an optimal allocation of resources. The priority given to the promotion of flexible learning pathways and transition between different parts of the system in some countries also strengthens coherence.

Qualifications frameworks and validation of non-formal and informal learning

National qualifications frameworks , which are linked to the establishment of the European Qualifications Framework for lifelong learning,[7] are being developed in most countries.[8] With them is coming a new focus on learning outcomes.

Systems for the validation of non-formal and informal learning are also coming into place, albeit more slowly.[9] The challenge is now to move from experiment to full application in national qualifications systems, including access to higher education.

In Portugal, a nationwide network of Centres for the Recognition, Validation and Certification of Competences (RVCC) was established in 2000. Currently nearly 58,000 adults are going through the validation process. The centres provide assessment and validation of competences for specific qualifications. The certification process includes an examination by an external jury and complementary training, if necessary.

2.2. Pre-primary education

The importance of pre-primary education is increasingly recognised throughout Europe. Its capacity to contribute to both efficiency and equity is reflected in the development of new approaches and policies. Revision of teaching content[10], capacity building of teachers[11], extension of compulsory schooling to parts of the pre-primary level[12], quality assessments[13] and increasing investment, for example through increased numbers of staff in pre-primary schools,[14] each find their place.

Successful pilot projects and schemes have been run in a number of countries. The challenge is now to move beyond pilot actions to generalised implementation, supported by investment, in particular in qualified staff.

Between 2000 and 2005 participation of 4-year-olds in education increased in EU 27 by about 3 percentage points to over 85 %. In 2005 in France, Belgium, Italy and Spain nearly all 4-year olds (over 99%) participated in education, while participation rates were below 50% in Ireland, Poland and Finland.[15]

2.3. Higher Education: a clear place in the Lisbon agenda

The modernisation of higher education is crucial to the knowledge triangle and to the Lisbon strategy. The issues of governance, funding and attractiveness have received increased attention at the European and national levels. These complement the Bologna reforms.

Solid progress has been registered in increasing university autonomy. This includes greater financial autonomy and new accountability mechanisms. New forms of stakeholder involvement are being tested, mostly as regards management of higher education institutions, but also in relation to curriculum development[16] or the definition of learning outcomes[17].

A compendium on best practice on the modernisation of universities is being developed by the higher education cluster, for policy makers and the wider public.

2.4. Education and training in the broader EU policy context

The large majority of Member States attach great importance to education, training and skills development in their Lisbon National Reform Programmes 2005-2008. This reflects their important contribution to implementing the integrated guidelines for growth and jobs .

Broad progress has been achieved in linking operational programmes under the structural funds to the priorities of the Education and Training 2010 work programme. This has been particularly evident in addressing the agreed indicator and benchmark areas.

Good progress has also been made in developing European reference tools to support reforms. During 2006 and 2007, the European Parliament and Council adopted recommendations in the areas of key competences, quality of mobility, quality assurance in higher education, and are close to agreeing on the European Qualifications Framework.

3. AREAS WHERE PROGRESS REMAINS INSUFFICIENT

3.1. Implementation of lifelong learning

Implementation is still the greatest challenge for lifelong learning strategies. It needs strong institutional commitment, coordination and partnership with all relevant stakeholders. Sustained effort can translate intentions into policies, which, in turn, deliver results. Appropriate dissemination arrangements and improved investment are vital. A lot remains to be done.

Positive trends in public spending on education between 2000 and 2003 seem to have come to a halt in 2004.

Total public expenditure on education as a percentage of GDP increased in the EU between 2000 (4.7%) and 2003 (5.2%), but then decreased to 5.1% in 2004. Levels of expenditure continue to show huge variations between countries (between 3.3% of GDP in Romania and 8.5% in Denmark). Private expenditure on educational institutions as a percentage of GDP has increased slightly since 2000 but progress slowed down in 2004.[18]

While EU benchmark areas have found some reflection in national targets , still not all countries have set such targets.[19]

3.2. Basic skills for all

Early school leavers , upper secondary attainment and key competences continue to be major problem areas. There has been some progress since 2000, but not enough to reach the EU benchmarks by 2010. In some countries performance has actually worsened between 2000 and 2006.Several countries still had very high levels of early school leavers, above 20%, in 2006.

Europe has far too many young people leaving education without the skills they need to participate in the knowledge society and to move smoothly into employment.[20] They face the risk of social exclusion. Further, they are effectively shut out of lifelong learning early in their lives.

Early school leavers: every sixth young person (15.3%) aged 18 to 24 in EU-27 still leaves school with no more than lower secondary education and does not participate in any kind of education or training after this. Progress must be faster to attain the EU benchmark of 10% by 2010. In the case of upper secondary attainment, there has been slow but steady progress. It has picked up slightly in recent years, but is not sufficient to achieve the 2010 objective (at least 85% of 22-year-olds to complete at least upper secondary education). Available indicators show no progress in reducing the share of low achievers in reading.[21] |

Migrants and ethnic minority groups perform less well in the benchmark areas in most countries.[22] They need particular attention. Their integration in pre-primary education would improve language learning and increase their prospects for successful schooling.

Initiatives on early school leaving and socio-economic disadvantage need to be complemented. Extra-curricular activities (such as in culture or sports), local partnerships, better involvement of parents, addressing parents' learning needs, and improving well-being at school for both learners and teachers would help.

Learning foreign languages is not a priority in any of the national reports.

3.3. Teacher education and training

Teachers and trainers are challenged by a growing heterogeneity of classes, a demand for new competences, and the need to pay close attention to individual learning needs. Increasing school autonomy brings further tasks.

Large cohorts of older teachers will have to be replaced in the near future. The profession must be made more attractive.

No other in-school aspect influences student performance more than the quality of teacher education.[23] However, current systems of teacher education and training often fail to give teachers the training they need. This is particularly so for continuing teacher training and professional development . In-service training for teachers is compulsory in only eleven Member States.

3.4. Higher education: excellence, partnership and funding

Countries are paying more attention to strengthening the role of universities in research and innovation and university-business partnerships are becoming more common. While they remain strongest in the Nordic countries and the UK, many countries still have much to do in this respect.

Measures to achieve excellence in higher education institutions should focus on education, research and knowledge transfer alike. Currently, teaching is addressed less often. The proposed European Institute of Technology[24] will inspire change in education and research institutions by becoming a reference model for integrating education, research and innovation.

In Germany, the federal and state governments have launched an initiative for excellence that provides an extra €1.9 billion between 2006-11 to boost top level research at universities selected on a competitive basis. The initiative includes three action lines: graduate schools; clusters to link university research, extra-university research and enterprises; and comprehensive strategies for top research universities.

Increasing investment , including from private sources, remains a challenge. Several governments have instruments to stimulate private investments such as tax incentives,[25] public-private partnership or sponsoring schemes,[26] and some have introduced or increased tuition or registration fees.[27]

Public spending on tertiary education institutions in the EU, including education and research, was 1.1% of GDP for EU-27 in 2004. This varied between 0.6% in Malta and 2.5% in Denmark. However, total spending remains far below the level in the United States. This is mainly because the level of private funding in the United States is more than seven times higher. Expenditure per tertiary student in the USA was more than twice the EU average.[28]

While progress has been made in increasing the autonomy and accountability of universities, little evidence is available on the support provided to university staff and managers to handle this challenge.

3.5. Adult participation in lifelong learning

Adult participation in lifelong learning is no longer on track to achieve the EU benchmark. Greater efforts are still required to raise skill levels in the population and to achieve flexibility and security across the labour market.

Progress towards the EU benchmark (12.5%) was broadly on track until 2005.[29] In 2006, however, an average of 9.6% of Europeans aged 25-64 were participating in education and training activities, which is slightly less than in 2005. The overall figure hides an important imbalance: adults with a high level of education are more than six times as likely to participate in lifelong learning as the low skilled.

Low participation in lifelong learning of older workers and the low-skilled is a particular problem where participation rates are already low for the overall population.[30] Further, there is a particular concentration of low skills among migrants. Demographic and labour market trends will lead to increased demand for high skills and fewer opportunities for the low-skilled. More attention will have to be given to training these groups.

3.6. Attractiveness and relevance of vocational education and training (VET)

Further work must be done to improve the quality and attractiveness of VET. This is a key priority of the Copenhagen process.[31]

Some countries have established advanced and comprehensive quality assurance systems,[32] while others are still in a development phase.[33]

The greater use of approaches based on learning outcomes in training programmes and qualifications is increasing the relevance of VET to the labour market. Renewed emphasis on apprenticeship and work-based learning is a further plus. However, little progress can be reported on forecasting skills and qualification needs.

VET sometimes suffers from being poorly integrated with the rest of the education system. It can contribute to retaining potential drop-outs in education and training where earlier levels of school provide the key competences needed to enter VET. Further progress must be made in reducing obstacles to progression between VET and further or higher education.

3.7. Transnational mobility

There is good progress on the implementation and use of Europass.[34] Nevertheless, transnational mobility of learners is still mainly enabled by EU programmes. Most national measures concern higher education. Mobility in the field of VET is particularly difficult.

Mobility is compulsory in the University of Luxembourg. All students in a Bachelors programme must spend part of their studies abroad.

4. THE WAY FORWARD

4.1. Implementing lifelong learning to achieve efficiency and equity

Important gaps in the coherence and comprehensiveness of lifelong learning strategies remain. Implementation is now the challenge. In many cases, this has just started. The credibility of the strategies depends on linking them to policy measures. It depends on the capacity of the authorities to target resources. It depends on their capacity to mobilise national institutions and stakeholders at all levels, through learning partnerships.

Improving the knowledge base

Knowledge of the economic and social impact of education and training policies must be strengthened.[35] Concern for both efficiency and equity should underpin the development of the European and national research-base on the policy and practice of education and training.

Peer learning and exchanges of experiences between policy-makers and stakeholders is an important source of know-how and should be supported. Monitoring of the development and implementation of lifelong learning strategies should continue, leading to an assessment of progress in the 2010 Joint Report.

Sustainable funding

The level, efficiency and sustainability of funding remain critical. Many countries are experimenting with new instruments and with incentives for private investment. This includes targeting individuals, households and employers. These efforts must be strengthened.

Raising skills levels

Increased investment in early education produces the highest returns to both efficiency and equity.[36] The early acquisition of key competences is an effective means to establish the basis for further learning, increasing equity of outcomes and overall skills levels. Transition to the labour market will be made easier, skills shortages avoided.

However, the image, status and attractiveness of VET needs to be strengthened. To facilitate entry into initial VET, mobility and return to the educational system, flexible and modular structures should be developed. Integrated lifelong guidance systems should be available to all citizens.

Addressing socio-economic disadvantage

Education and training can contribute to overcoming socio-economic disadvantage. But it may also perpetuate it. Inequity in education and training brings huge costs. These are often hidden, but are no less real. Ensuring equity of access, participation, treatment and outcomes must therefore remain a priority.

Using the potential of migrants

Migration increases classroom diversity, brings particular needs and raises problems of provision. Migrant performance levels, participation and attainment rates are typically lower than average. Although factors such as socio-economic background and language go some way to explain this, there is evidence that education and training policies and systems themselves contribute to the problem.[37] This situation requires particular attention.

High quality teaching

Teachers need better professional preparation and continuing development. This will improve education and training outcomes. Involving teachers and trainers in innovation and reform is also very important. The Commission has set out the challenges.[38] It is also carrying out a public consultation on schools.[39] The work programme offers a suitable context for addressing the challenges.

4.2. Innovation and creativity: education as a key element of the knowledge triangle

Education is fundamental to the knowledge triangle, and so to boosting jobs and growth. Universities are at the heart of the triangle. Centres of excellence which focus on teaching, research and knowledge transfer are vital. Much more needs to be done to enable higher education and business to work in partnership.

Research and innovation need a broad skills base in the population. Excellence, creativity and learning-to-learn skills must be developed in all systems and levels of education and training. Both schools and VET have a major contribution to make to facilitating innovation. High-quality VET, for example, can contribute to innovation at the workplace.

4.3. Improved governance: making best use of the results of Education & Training 2010

The work programme is showing results at the European and the national level. The development of European reference tools and the work of the clusters and peer learning activities inform and support countries' reforms. Education and training challenges and the development of human resources figure prominently in the Lisbon National Reform Programmes of most Member States.

The effectiveness of the open method of coordination in education and training, its impact and political ownership can still be strengthened. Particular attention at both the national and European levels should be given to:

- joined-up education and training policy in a lifelong learning perspective with strategic priorities set across the whole system;

- improving the interfaces with relevant policy areas, such as innovation policy, employment and social policy, enterprise, research and structural funding;

- integration of policy developments in the areas of higher education, VET and adult learning within the overall work programme.

- strong links between the implementation and development of the Lisbon integrated guidelines and of the Education and Training 2010 work programme;

- mutual monitoring of developments in each country, moving from peer-learning to peer-review;

- ensuring that the results of peer-learning activities reach policy makers and ministers;

- stronger participation of civil society;

- further development of indicators and benchmarks in line with the Council conclusions of May 2007.

- making the most of Community funds and programmes, in particular the new Lifelong Learning Programme 2007-2013 and the EU cohesion policy instruments.

To ensure that the agreed priorities of the Education and Training 2010 work programme are fully reflected in national policy making, the specific actions identified in the 2006 Joint Report should be pursued.

Mechanisms for the implementation of the Education and Training 2010 work programme, and lifelong learning strategies, should be put in place. Close coordination is needed with those responsible for broader socio-economic policy, in particular Lisbon reforms and national strategies on social inclusion.

National targets and indicators should be further developed. They should take into account European objectives and benchmarks. Policy and practice should be informed by the use of knowledge and evaluation. The common principles, guidelines and recommendations agreed at the European level offer reference points for the design of national reforms.

4.4. Preparing for post-2010

The Education and Training 2010 work programme provides practical support for Member States’ education and training reforms. Significant progress has been achieved since the programme was launched in 2002. Yet education and training reforms need time to bear fruit. Major challenges persist, new challenges have emerged. This work, including cooperation in the framework of the Bologna and Copenhagen processes, needs to be continued and indeed reinforced well beyond 2010. Reflections on the main priorities of the work programme beyond 2010 should therefore start now. Given the crucial role of education and training to the Strategy for Jobs and Growth, they must be closely associated with the future development of the Lisbon process.

ANNEX 1

Countries' situation in relation to adoption of explicit lifelong learning strategy, qualifications framework, validation of non-formal/informal learning and national targets in benchmark areas Y = Country has strategy, framework, validation system or national targets in place D = Country is developing strategy, framework, or validation system N = Country does not have framework, validation system or national targets P = Country has LLL policies in place but no explicit strategy |

Countries | Explicit National Lifelong Learning Strategies | National Qualification Frameworks | System for validation of non-formal and informal learning | National targets set in all or some EU benchmark areas |

AT | Y | D | D | N |

Be fr | Y | D | D | Y |

Be nl | Y | D | Y | Y |

BG | D | D | N | N |

CY | D | N | N | N |

CZ | Y | D | D | N |

DE | Y | D | N | N |

DK | Y | D | Y | Y |

EE | Y | D | N | Y |

EL | Y | N | N | Y |

ES | Y | D | D | Y |

FI | Y | D | Y | Y |

FR | P | Y | Y | Y |

HR | Y | D | N | Y |

HU | Y | D | N | Y |

IE | D | Y | Y | Y |

IS | P | N | D | N |

IT | P | D | D | N |

LI | P | N | N | N |

LT | Y | D | D | Y |

LU | P | D | D | N |

LV | Y | D | N | Y |

MT | D | Y | N | Y |

NL | P | D | Y | Y |

NO | Y | N | Y | N |

PL | D | N | D | Y |

PT | P | D | Y | Y |

RO | D | N | D | Y |

SE | Y | N | D | N |

SI | D | D | Y | Y |

SK | Y | D | D | Y |

TR | D | D | N | N |

UK | Y | Y | D | Y |

ANNEX 2

(STATISTICAL ANNEX)

PROGRESS AGAINST THE FIVE REFERENCE LEVELS OF AVERAGE EUROPEAN PERFORMANCE ( BENCHMARKS ) AND OTHER KEY INDICATORS IN EDUCATION AND TRAINING

Based on Commission Staff Working Document

Progress towards the Lisbon Objectives in Education and Training – Indicators and Benchmarks SEC (2007) 1284

Country Codes

EU | European Union | PT | Portugal |

BE | Belgium | RO | Romania |

BG | Bulgaria | SI | Slovenia |

CZ | Czech Republic | SK | Slovakia |

DK | Denmark | FI | Finland |

DE | Germany | SE | Sweden |

EE | Estonia | UK | United Kingdom |

EL | Greece |

ES | Spain | EEA | European Economic Area |

FR | France | IS | Iceland |

IE | Ireland | LI | Liechtenstein |

IT | Italy | NO | Norway |

CY | Cyprus |

LV | Latvia | Candidate Countries |

LT | Lithuania | HR | Croatia |

LU | Luxembourg | TR | Turkey |

HU | Hungary |

MT | Malta | Others |

NL | Netherlands | JP | Japan |

AT | Austria | US/USA | United States of America |

PL | Poland |

OVERVIEW ON PROGRESS IN THE FIVE BENCHMARK AREAS

[pic]

Key results:

* As regards the number of maths, science and technology (MST) graduates the benchmark will be over-achieved; the progress required has already been made in 2000-2003.

* There is some progress in lifelong learning participation. However, much of it is a result of changes in survey methodology in several Member States, which led to higher nominal participation rates and thus overstate overall progress.

* There is constant improvement as regards early school leavers, but faster progress is needed in order to achieve the benchmark.

* As regards upper secondary completion there has been only little progress.

* Results for low achievers in reading have not improved (but this is based only on two reference years).

Methodological remarks : The starting point in the year 2000 is set in the graph as zero and the 2010 benchmark as 100. The results achieved in each year are thus measured against the 2010 benchmark. A diagonal line shows the progress required, i.e. each year an additional 10% of progress would have to be achieved to reach the benchmark. If a line stays below this diagonal line, progress is not sufficient. As regards participation in lifelong learning, there have been many breaks in time series: some countries have revised their data collection methods between 2002 and 2003. The application of the new methods led to higher results from 2003, and thus progress is overstated between 2002 and 2003. The line 2002-2003 on lifelong learning participation is therefore dotted. For low achievers in reading (data from PISA survey) there are only results for 16 EU countries and for two years. Data from the 2006 PISA survey will become available in December 2007.

OVERVIEW ON PROGRESS IN THE FIVE BENCHMARK AREAS

Overview on the 3 school level benchmarks

Situation (latest year available) and progress achieved since 2000 | Low achievers in reading (15 years old, %) | Early school leavers (18-24, %) | Upper secondary attainment (20-24, %) |

Reference year | 2003 | 2006 | 2006 |

EU average | 19.8 | 15.3 | 77.8 |

Belgium | ++ | 0 | 0 |

Bulgaria | nd | + | ++ |

Czech Republic | - | 0 | 0 |

Denmark | ++ | + | ++ |

Germany | ++ | + | - |

Estonia | nd | + | ++ |

Ireland | 0 | ++ | ++ |

Greece | - | + | ++ |

Spain | - | - | - |

France | - | + | 0 |

Italy | - | ++ | ++ |

Cyprus | nd | ++ | ++ |

Latvia | ++ | + | ++ |

Lithuania | nd | ++ | ++ |

Luxembourg | (++) | - | - |

Hungary | ++ | + | 0 |

Malta | nd | ++ | ++ |

Netherlands | (-) | ++ | ++ |

Austria | - | + | 0 |

Poland | ++ | + | ++ |

Portugal | ++ | + | ++ |

Romania | nd | ++ | + |

Slovenia | nd | (++) | ++ |

Slovakia | - | - |

Finland | ++ | + | - |

Sweden | - | - | + |

United Kingdom | nd | ++ | + |

Croatia | nd | ++ | ++ |

Turkey | ++ | ++ |

Iceland | - | + | ++ |

Norway | - | ++ | - |

Performance today (latest data) Dark/green Above EU average Light/pink Below EU average white No data Compared to 2000 ++ improving more than EU average + improving, but less than EU average 0 less than 1% change - getting worse () results not comparable or unreliable nd No data |

KEY COMPETENCES

Percentage of pupils with reading literacy proficiency level one and lower

(on the PISA reading literacy scale) 2000-2003

[pic]

% with low reading skills | All | Girls | Boys |

In 2000 the share of low performing 15-year olds in reading was 19.4% (data available for 16 Member States only). According to the benchmark this proportion should decrease by one fifth by 2010 (and thus reach 15.5%). While the share has decreased in some Member States (notably Latvia and Poland), no progress on this objective has been achieved at EU level since 2000 (2003: 19.8%). However, there are currently only two data points and the latest data refer to 2003 (data from the 2006 PISA survey round will become available in December 2007).

Additional notes:

EU figure: weighted average based on number of pupils enrolled and data for 16 countries (NL and LU not representative in 2000, hence their results have been put in brackets, UK not representative in 2003; SK did not participate in 2000).

EARLY SCHOOL LEAVERS

Share of the population aged 18-24 with only lower-secondary education

and not in education or training, 2000-2006

[pic]

Early school leavers, % | All | Females | Males |

In 2006 early school leavers in the EU 27 represented about 15% of young people aged 18-24. There has been continuous improvement in recent years in reducing the share, but progress will need to be faster to reach the EU benchmark of 10% in 2010.

However, several Member States, notably the Nordic countries and many of the new Member States, already have shares of less than 10%.

Additional notes :

BG, PL, SI: 2001 instead of 2000 results,

CZ, IE, LV, SK, HR 2002 instead of 2000 results

EE: 2005 instead of 2006 results for females

COMPLETION OF UPPER SECONDARY EDUCATION BY YOUNG PEOPLE

Percentage of the population aged 20-24 having completed

at least upper-secondary education, 2000-2006

[pic]

Upper secondary att. | All | Females | Males |

The share of young people (aged 20-24) who have completed upper-secondary education has only slightly improved since 2000. There was thus little progress in achieving the benchmark of raising this share to at least 85% by 2010. However, some countries with a relatively low share, notably Portugal and Malta, have made considerable progress in the recent past. It should also be noted that many of the new Member States already perform above the benchmark set for 2010 and that four of them, the Czech Republic, Poland, Slovenia and Slovakia, and in addition Norway and Croatia, already have shares of 90% and above.

Additional notes :

CY: Pupils usually living in the country but studying abroad are not yet covered by the survey. Hence results for CY are understated.

Since the 5 December 2005 release, Eurostat has been applying a refined definition of the “upper secondary” educational attainment level in order to improve the comparability of results in the EU. For the 1998 data onwards ISCED level 3c programmes shorter than two years no longer fall under the “upper secondary” level but come under “lower secondary”. This change implies revision of the results in DK (from 2001), ES, CY and IS. However, the definition cannot yet be implemented in EL, IE and AT, where all ISCED 3c levels are still included.

GRADUATES IN MATHEMATICS, SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY (MST)

Growth of tertiary graduates from mathematics, science and technology fields in %,

Average annual growth rate 2000-2005

[pic]

Graduates per 1000 aged 20-29 | Average Growth per year | Share of female graduates, % |

The number of mathematics, science and technology (MST) graduates in EU 27 has increased since 2000 by over 170,000 or by more about 25%. The EU has thus already achieved the benchmark of increasing the number of MST graduates by 15% by 2010. More limited progress has been achieved as regards the second goal of reducing the gender imbalance. The share of female MST graduates has increased from 30.8% in 2000 to 31.2% in 2005. While Slovakia, Portugal and Poland showed the strongest annual growth in the number of MST graduates (> 12%), Bulgaria, Estonia, Greece and Romania perform best as regards gender balance.

Additional notes :

For countries with breaks in series growth rates were calculated for years without breaks. PL: Growth based on 2001-2005, RO: growth based on 2000-2002 and 2003-2005. HR: growth 2003-2005, SE: growth 2000-2003, HU: growth 2000-2003

BE: Data for the Flemish community exclude second qualifications in non-university tertiary education; the data also exclude independent private institutions (although the number is small) and the German-speaking community.

EE: 2000 data exclude Master’s degrees (ISCED level 5A).

IT: 2005 result estimated by the Commission.

CY: Data exclude tertiary students graduating abroad. Over half of the total number of Cypriot tertiary students study abroad. The fields of study available in Cyprus are limited.

LU: Luxembourg has no complete university system, most MST students study and graduate abroad.

AT: 2000: ISCED level 5B refers to the previous year. HU: 2004: Changes in data collection on graduates by fields led to breaks in the time series.

PL: Data for 2000 exclude advanced research programmes (ISCED level 6).

RO: 2000-2002 data exclude second qualifications and advanced research programmes (ISCED level 6). There is therefore a break in the series in 2003

SE: 2004: Changes in data collection on graduates by fields led to breaks in the time series.

UK: National data used for 2000.

LI: 2003-2004 data exclude tertiary students graduating abroad.

PARTICIPATION IN LIFELONG LEARNING

Percentage of population aged 25-64 participating in education and training

in the four weeks prior to the survey, 2000-2006

[pic]

LLL participation, % Source: Eurostat | All | Females | Males |

The percentage of the working age population who participated in education and training (in the 4 weeks prior to the survey) amounted to 9.6 % in 2006. Since breaks in time series overstate progress, the real increase was limited. Additional efforts are needed to reach the benchmark of a 12.5% participation rate in 20101.The Nordic countries, the UK, Slovenia and the Netherlands currently show the highest participation rates.

1Data used for assessing the benchmark refer to a 4-week period of participation (LFS 2004). If a longer period were used, rates would be higher. Eurostat data from the LFS ad hoc module on lifelong learning carried out in 2003 (referring to a 12-month period) show a participation rate of 42% (4.4% in formal education; 16.5% in non-formal learning and nearly one European out of three declared having taken some form of informal learning).

Additional notes :

Due to introduction of harmonised concepts and definitions in the survey, breaks in time series were noted in several countries for different years (between 2000 and 2006)

BG, PL, SI: 2001 instead of 2000

CZ, IE, LV, SK, HR: 2002 instead of 2000

SE, HR, IS: 2005 instead of 2006

PARTICIPATION IN PRE-PRIMARY EDUCATION

Participation rates of 4-year-olds in education, 2000-2005

[pic]

Participation in % of 4 y olds | 2000 | 2004 | 2005 |

EU-27 | 82.8 | 84.6 | 85.7 |

Belgium | 99.2 | 99.9 | 100 |

Bulgaria | 67.0 | 72.6 | 73.2 |

Czech Republic | 81.0 | 91.2 | 91.4 |

Denmark | 90.6 | 93.4 | 93.5 |

Germany | 81.4 | 84.3 | 84.6 |

Estonia | 78.2 | 83.9 | 84.2 |

Ireland | 51.1 | 46.6 | 45.4 |

Greece | 53.9 | 57.2 | 57.8 |

Spain | 99.0 | 100 | 99.3 |

France | 100 | 100 | 100 |

Italy | 100 | 100 | 100 |

Cyprus | 55.7 | 61.2 | 61.4 |

Latvia | 60.6 | 69.1 | 72.2 |

Lithuania | 51.0 | 54.5 | 56.8 |

Luxembourg | 94.9 | 83.5 | 96.3 |

Hungary | 89.5 | 92.3 | 90.7 |

Malta | 100 | 97.5 | 94.4 |

Netherlands | 99.5 | 74.0 | 73.4 |

Austria | 79.5 | 82.1 | 82.5 |

Poland | 33.3 | 35.7 | 38.1 |

Portugal | 72.3 | 79.9 | 84.0 |

Romania | 60.3 | 75.2 | 76.2 |

Slovenia | 67.7 | 77.8 | 75.9 |

Slovakia | : | 71.7 | 74.0 |

Finland | 41.9 | 46.1 | 46.7 |

Sweden | 72.8 | 87.7 | 88.9 |

United Kingdom | 100 | 92.9 | 91.8 |

Croatia | : | 42.4 | 44.7 |

Turkey | : | 3.4 | 5.0 |

Iceland | 90.9 | 95.1 | 95.3 |

Liechtenstein | : | 52.2 | 50.6 |

Norway | 78.1 | 86.9 | 88.9 |

Japan | 94.9 | 95.2 | 94.7 |

USA | 61.7 | 64.1 | 65.3 |

Source: Eurostat (UOE) |

Between 2000 and 2005 participation of 4 year olds in education (mostly in pre-primary, in some countries already in primary) increased in EU 27 by about 3 percentage points to reach over 85 %. In 2005 in France, Belgium, Italy and Spain nearly all 4-year olds (over 99%) participated in education, while participation rates were below 50% in Ireland, Poland and Finland.

Additional notes:

Data include participation in both pre-primary and primary education.

BE: Data exclude independent private institutions, but these are attended by only a very limited number of children. Data from the German-speaking community are missing.

IE: There is no official provision of ISCED level 0 education. Many children attend some form of ISCED level 0 education, but for the most part data are missing.

NL: In 2002 the reference date for collecting these data was changed from 31 December to 1 October.

EDUCATIONAL ATTAINMENT OF THE ADULT POPULATION

Adult population ( 25- to 64-year-olds ) with tertiary attainment

[pic]

% of adults (25-64) with tertiary attainment |

2000 | 2006 |

EU-27 | 19.4 | 22.9 |

Belgium | 27.1 | 31.8 |

Bulgaria | 18.4 | 21.9 |

Czech Rep | 11.5 | 13.5 |

Denmark | 25.8 | 34.7 |

Germany | 23.8 | 23.9 |

Estonia | 28.9 | 33.3 |

Ireland | 21.6 | 30.8 |

Greece | 16.9 | 21.5 |

Spain | 22.5 | 29.9 |

France | 21.6 | 25.5p |

Italy | 9.6 | 12.9 |

Cyprus | 25.1 | 30.5 |

Latvia | 18.0 | 21.1 |

Lithuania | 22.4 | 26.8 |

Luxembourg | 18.3 | 24.0 |

Hungary | 14.0 | 17.7 |

Malta | 5.4 | 12.0 |

Netherlands | 24.1 | 39.5 |

Austria | 14.2 | 17.6 |

Poland | 11.4 | 17.9 |

Portugal | 9.0 | 13.5 |

Romania | 9.2 | 11.7 |

Slovenia | 15.7 | 21.4 |

Slovakia | 10.2 | 14.5 |

Finland | 32.6 | 35.1 |

Sweden | 29.7 | 30.5 |

UK | 28.1 | 30.7 |

Croatia | 15.4 | 16.3 |

Iceland | 23.7 | 29.5 |

Norway | 31.6 | 33.6 |

Source: Eurostat (LFS) |

In 2006 23% of the working age population of the EU had attained tertiary education, an increase of more than 3 percentage point compared to 2000. Finland, Denmark and Estonia were the countries with the highest share of population with tertiary attainment, while some Member States still had shares of less than 15%. However, in some of these countries tertiary enrolment has expanded considerably in the recent past.

Additional notes

Tertiary includes ISCED levels 5 and 6.

LT: 2001 results instead of 2000

HR: 2002 results instead of 2000

INVESTMENT IN HUMAN RESOURCES

Total public expenditure on education as a percentage of GDP, 2000-2004

[pic]

Education spen-ding, % of GDP | Public | Private |

Between 2000 and 2003, public spending on education as a percentage of GDP increased considerably in EU Member States. However, in 2004, the upward trend stopped and there was a slight decline compared to the year before. However, as a result of GDP growth in absolute terms public education spending still increased. The available data show strong differences in spending levels between countries.

Additional notes:

Data covers formal education including formal adult education

'Private' refers to expenditure on educational institutions from private sources

DK: Expenditure on post-secondary non-tertiary levels of education not available.

EL, LU, PT: Imputed retirement expenditure not available.

CY: Including financial aid to students studying abroad.

PL, SK, NO: Including child care expenditure at pre-primary level.

FR: Without French Overseas Departments.

HR: Expenditure on educational institutions from public sources.

LU: Expenditure at tertiary level not included.

PT: Expenditure at local level of government not included.

UK, JP, US: Adjustment of GDP to the financial year, which differs from the calendar year.

TR, IS: Expenditure at pre-primary level not included.

TR: Expenditure at regional and local levels of government not included.

US: Expenditure on educational institutions from public sources

[1]Commission Communication "Towards Common Principles of Flexicurity: more and better jobs trough

flexibility and security." COM (2007) 359.

[2]The report is based primarily on an analysis of national reports and of performance against a set of indicators

and benchmarks. See Annex 2 and SEC (2007) 1284 "Progress towards the Lisbon objectives in education and

training. Indicators and benchmarks 2007." It also draws on the results of the open method of coordination in the

area of education and training, notably the use of EU reference tools, and peer learning supporting Member State

reforms and on similar exchanges undertaken as part of the Copenhagen and Bologna processes. For the 1st Joint

Report see Council doc. 6905/04 EDUC 43; for the 2nd OJ C 79 of 1.4.2006, p.1.

[3] Commission Communication "Efficiency and Equity in European education and training system" COM (2006)

481.

[4] The Council agreed that Member States should have coherent and comprehensive lifelong learning strategies in

place by 2006 (Council resolution on lifelong learning of June 2002, 2004 Joint Report and 2005 Spring

European Council).

[5] See Annex 1.

[6] BE nl, DE, EE, EL, HU, UK. BG, CY, ES, IE, TR present it as a condition for their strategies. See also

SEC (2007) 1098 "Towards more knowledge-based policy and practice in education and training".

[7] COM (2006) 479.

[8] See Annex 1.

[9] See Annex 1.

[10] DE, DK.

[11] CZ.

[12] CY, DK, EL, PL.

[13] ES, LT, HR, NO.

[14] AT, BE nl, CY, DE, DK, EL, ES, HU, MT, NL, PL, SE, SK, UK, HR, IS, NO.

[15] See Annex 2.

[16] CY.

[17] BG, LU, SE, TR.

[18] See Annex 2.

[19] See Annex 1.

[20] Commission Communication "Promoting young people's full participation in education, employment and

society" COM (2007) 498.

[21] See Annex 2.

[22] SEC (2007) 1284, p. 50, 75.

[23] Commission Communication "Improving the Quality of Teacher Education", COM (2007) 392.

[24] COM (2006) 604 final/2.

[25] ES, SE, SI, SK, TR.

[26] AT, FR, HU, IE, LU, LV, UK.

[27] AT, DE, IE, NL, SI, UK, HR.

[28] SEC (2007) 1284, p. 67.

[29] Progress was broadly on track, however, only as a result of breaks in series in several countries, which

overstated progress. See Annex 2.

[30] SEC (2007) 1284, p. 81.

[31] Conclusions of the Council on the future priorities for enhanced European cooperation on Vocational

Education and Training. Council document 14474/06 of 30 October 2006.

[32] AT, DE, DK, FI, IE, SE, NO.

[33] BG, CZ, ES, LU, MT, SI.

[34] Decision No 2241/2004/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 15 December 2004, OJ L 390 of

31.12.2004, p.6.

[35] See SEC (2007) 1098.

[36] COM (2006) 481, p. 5.

[37] SEC (2007) 1284, p. 51.

[38] Commission Communication "Improving the Quality of Teacher Education", COM (2007) 392.

[39] SEC (2007) 1009 "Schools for the 21st century".