Brussels, 08/06/2012 (Agence Europe) - European Union member states must work harder if they are to attain EUROPE 2020 strategy objectives with regard to education, i.e. reduce early school leaving rates to under 10% and increase the share of young people with degree-level qualifications to at least 40%. Figures published by Eurostat for 2011 reflect the progress made by member states to reach the targets set but also underline the fact that considerable disparity still exists. “Member states need to focus on reforms and step up their efforts to implement comprehensive strategies against early school leaving. … Serious investment in education and training is a pre-requisite for long-term success: without proper funding Europe will not win the global battle for growth, jobs and competitiveness”, commented Androulla Vassiliou, Commissioner for Education, Culture, Multilingualism and Youth.
Figures released by Eurostat in the context of the investigation on labour forces provide data on the situation and the trends on the EU employment market, including qualification and schooling rates. Findings show that it is not at all certain the European Union will reach the objectives set for 2020. Currently, the early school leaving rate stands at 13.5%, down from 14.1% in 2010 and from 17.6% in 2000. In 2011, 34.6% of 30-34 year olds in the EU had a degree, compared to 33.5% in the previous year and 22.4% in 2000. Although this shows that progress has indeed been made towards achieving the two goals, the Commission fears that progress is not the result of reforms with a long-term impact but rather a by-product of high youth unemployment which means more young people are staying longer in education and training. The Commission is also concerned by the fact that national member state targets are not sufficient for the European Union to reach its joint overall objective. In June 2011, member states undertook to develop evidence-based and comprehensive national strategies to reduce early school leaving by the end of 2012. (IL/transl.jl)