Strasbourg, 18/05/2006 (Agence Europe) - MEP Harlem Désir has written to the President of the European Commission, José Manuel Barroso, calling on him to explain why most EU Member States have such poor results in the field of education, results that are highlighted by a report published this week on goals set for education and training as part of the Lisbon Strategy, a press release states (see related article).
“This document shows that there is a real challenge for Europe in investing in people's education and training if we want to improve our economic results”, the French Socialist writes to President Barroso, stressing the link that exists between strong participation in life-long learning and performance in growth and employment results. Education and training are “critical factors in the development of the EU's long-term potential for competitiveness as well as for social cohesion”, Harlem Désir points out in his letter. Over six million young people left their secondary education prematurely last year, he said, pointing out that four million more adults are needed to sign up for lifelong learning programmes if the goals of the so-called Lisbon Strategy for jobs and growth are to be met, he warned, referring to the report that gives European Socialists cause for concern.
Harlem Désir acknowledges that the content of education policy and teaching and training programmes is the responsibility of governments, but asks President Barroso: “How is the national sovereignty of the Member States to be reconciled with the Commission's responsibility for achieving the Lisbon goals?”