Brussels, 11/05/2010 (Agence Europe) - Education and Training Commissioner Androulla Vassiliou and Spanish Education Minister Ángel Gabilondo Pujol had hoped that, with the adoption, on Tuesday 11 May, of conclusions on the quantified major EU targets for education, the Education Council could send a unanimous message to the heads of state and government who are due to adopt the final text of the EU 2020 strategy on 17 June. They did not, however, consider the uncertainty that has resulted from the outcome of the general election in the United Kingdom, which prevented the UK delegation from adopting a stance on quantified objectives in the meantime. Despite all his efforts, the Spanish minister, who had hoped that the UK might at least abstain, was unable to bring about the merest shift (Ed: abstention would not have changed much, as unanimity is required). Germany, and in particular the Länder, unwilling initially, finally came round to the task after receiving reassurances that there could be no recommendations and warnings from the European Union on national education objectives. The text will be put to heads of state and government in the form of conclusions from the Spanish Presidency and not from the Education Council as had been hoped. “I am a little sad. I was hoping to hail an agreement. We almost managed,” lamented Vassiliou. She did, however, welcome the virtual unanimity of position, pointing out the United Kingdom did not want to take a position, not because of any disagreement with the text, but because of exceptional circumstances. The Spanish Presidency also sought to be positive. “We are able to get agreement despite the differences in our situations,” Gabilondo said.
The March European Council set a number of major targets forming common objectives that would guide member states' and European Union action. In education, the aim was to improve education levels, focusing especially on reducing school drop-out rates and increasing the percentage of the population with higher education qualifications or equivalent. The European Council will put a figure on these objectives in June. On the basis of the strategic framework adopted at the Education Council in May 2009, which comprises four objectives and five European reference criteria, the Spanish Presidency proposed that, by 2020, the proportion of young people leaving school early should be below a European average threshold of 10% and that at least 40% of people should hold a higher education qualification. While some will experience difficulty in achieving these levels, all member states, with the exception of the UK, for the reasons set out above, agreed that the figures for education to be adopted in the EU 2020 strategy should be the same as those in the May 2009 conclusions. Ministers wanted a clear signal to be sent to the European Council. Most delegations (23 out of 27) also presented the national targets they hoped to reach by 2020, varying according to past history and political and economic reality. These national targets will contribute to the collective realisation of the EU's main objectives. “Every member state has its own specific conditions and account has to be taken of everyone's history. We realise that, for many countries - including Spain - the 10% target (for the school drop-out rate) will be difficult,” Gabilondo said. “We will help those who are in difficulty,” reassured Commissioner Vassiliou, encouraging member states which are already close to the European objectives to be even more ambitious. (I.L./transl./rt)