Brussels, 19/11/2012 (Agence Europe) - Education in information technology (IT), the world of economics and citizenship is fundamental for preparing young people for the employment market but, according to a new report from the European Commission - compiled by the Eurydice network - these transversal skills are still too often neglected in schools in comparison with the basic competences (literacy, mathematics and science). This situation can partly be explained by assessment problems. Only 11 European countries (Belgium - the Flemish Community, Bulgaria, Estonia, Ireland; France, Latvia, Lithuania, Malta, Poland, Slovenia and Finland) have set up standard procedures for assessing skills relating to citizenship, for example, which aim to develop a critical mind and active participation in school and in society. This type of assessment is totally non-existent, however, in the 31 countries having participated in the study (the 27 EU member states, Croatia, Iceland, Norway and Turkey) as far as entrepreneurship and IT skills are concerned. The report also highlights the progress made in the teaching of six of the eight key skills defined at EU level for lifelong learning in knowledge, skills and attitudes. (IL/transl.fl)