Strasbourg, 28/09/2007 (Agence Europe) - Member states must step up their investment in pre-school education, in order to form an effective base for later learning. Such is the message set out in the Tomás Zatloukal report (EPP-ED, Czech Republic) on efficiency and equity in European education and training systems. The own-initiative report was adopted on Thursday in plenary session by 479 votes to 53 and 12 abstentions.
The report highlights the need to improve efficiency in the field of education and vocational training within a context of public budget restraint, globalisation, population changes and technological innovation. It supports the various educational systems for the integration of pupils, students and adults from all social groups. When it comes to equity and efficiency, the current state of play of these systems is not satisfactory. It is in fact necessary, according to the report, to improve the integration of children from disadvantaged social groups into pre-school education in order to prevent the social exclusion of a growing number of citizens. MEPs support the long-term programming process in the field of lifelong training taking the view that investment in this sector produces economic and social benefits. They also want to set up a European qualifications framework in order to facilitate recognition of the level of education reached, and to allow transparent and clear transition between different training schemes. In the field of primary and secondary education, the report invites member states to support the training, continued proficiency and motivation of teachers as well as improved conditions in the quality of school life as these are decisive factors for ensuring efficiency and equity. With regard to higher training, an essential sector in an economy and society based on knowledge, MEPs take a stance in favour of modernising universities so that higher education becomes more competitive and allows equitable participation by all, while remaining financially viable and effective. (il)