EU-wide education area for 2025: ongoing initiatives and trends

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The Commission approved a report on progress towards the achievement of the European Education Area by 2025; the report takes analyses the ongoing initiatives and trends on progress to attain EU-level targets in education and training. The progress report is assisted by the Education & Training Monitor with the EU-wide analysis of education and training systems in the member states. 

Together with the member states, the Commission and other EU institutions are working to achieve the European Education Area by 2925; the main goal is to make high-quality education and training available to all citizens in the EU-27.
Following the EU leaders political vision from 2017, the Commission has set a detailed approach to the 2025-target in the Commission Communication in 2020, followed by two Council Resolutions in 2021, concerning strategic framework for cooperation and governance in education policies.

Education and Training Monitor-2022
Present edition of the Education and Training Monitor forms part of the EU progress report on education. It comprises EU-wide comparison of education and training systems and in-depth country reports covering key challenges and policy reforms towards achieving European Education Area objectives. Besides, a fully revamped website also presents a new Monitor Toolbox with all underlying data.
The Education and Training Monitor’s comparative report tracks progress towards achieving the EU-level targets agreed as part of a wider-EEA strategic framework. Seven EU-level targets have been set and the report complements them with numerous supporting indicators to shed light on context and possible policy measures. In addition, the 2022 edition starts with a brand new EU-level indicator as a broad measure of the equity of EU education and training systems.

The Education and Training Monitor’s country report reveals recent and ongoing policy development at all education levels in the EU-27states; the country’s reports provide more in-depth insights into the performance of countries with regard to the EU-level achievements.
The country’s reports are based on the most up-to-date quantitative and qualitative evidence available. E.g. the Danish report in: https://op.europa.eu/webpub/eac/education-and-training-monitor-2022/en/country-reports/denmark.html.

In Latvian report it is underlined the Latvian government’s efforts to accelerate efforts in raising digital skills in education and increasing digitalisation in society. Latvian 2021-2027 “Digital transformation guidelines” adopted in July 2021 set out an overarching strategy for the country’s digital transformation. The guidelines cover internet access, ICT education and skills, modern and efficient public administration, and e-services and digital content for society. In the 2022 DESI index, Latvia ranks 18th for human capital among the 27 EU countries, up two positions compared to 2021. According to the index, 51% of the population aged 16 to 74 have at least basic digital skills and 24% have above-basic digital skills, as compared to EU averages of 54% and 26% respectively. The figures are considerably higher for younger people: 81% of 16-19-year-olds have at least basic digital skills, well above the EU average of 69%.
Source: https://op.europa.eu/webpub/eac/education-and-training-monitor-2022/en/country-reports/latvia.html.
Generally on Monitor-2022 in: https://op.europa.eu/webpub/eac/education-and-training-monitor-2022/en/index.html

Education as a key driver for changes
There are presently about 40 ongoing EU-level initiatives which comprise strategic policy actions: i.e. including blended learning and learning for sustainable development, European strategy for universities and the EU-funded projects, such as the Teacher Academies, the Education for Climate Coalition, and the Centers of Vocational Excellence.
There are as well several expert groups, such as those on disinformation or quality investment, on measures to implement Erasmus+ programs and the European Solidarity Corps, etc. Due to active and EU-wide commitments to the European Education Area, these initiatives greatly reinforced the actions taken by the member states.
Due to numerous EU programs, e.g. Erasmus+, Recovery and Resilience Facility and the EU cohesion policy funds, the total EU expenditure on education and skills during 2021-27 will triple, compared to 2014-20 period. Therefore, the focus on implementation, quality investment, absorption and robust monitoring of progress by the member states are essential to solidify systemic reforms and bring about a positive impact on learners, teachers, the economy and societies.

Mariya Gabriel, Commissioner for innovation, research, culture, education and youth commented (18.xi. 2022) that “education has been a key driver to lead societal development and build a generation of talented Europeans”; and that the EU was progressing well towards building a true European Education Area by 2025. She added that the Commission will continue supporting the member states in their efforts to stimulate “quality investment and policy reform to remove barriers in education and training and improve learning outcomes for all”.
Citation form: https://ec.europa.eu/commission/presscorner/detail/en/IP_22_6707

Next European Education Summit
The 5th yearly European Education Summit (taking place on 1 December) puts youth and education at the center of the event, giving bright young minds from EU-27 the opportunity to contribute in shaping the future direction of education and training in Europe.
Young people are the future of Europe and will play a central role in the twin green and digital transitions; hence, it is essential that European education and training systems can adapt to allow all young people to develop the skills and competencies they need to thrive and innovate.
This year’s summit will address such issues as: improving the education sector; making education and training made more inclusive for all develop their full potential; better investment to ensure quality and inclusive education; education’s role in making the European Green Deal a reality; ensure that young people are equipped with the green and digital skills needed to thrive and innovate in a sustainable way; and making “future-proof” and resilient education systems.
More in: https://education.ec.europa.eu/event/fifth-european-education-summit-bright-young-minds

More information in the following Commission’s websites: = Progress Report package; = Factsheet on the Progress toward the European Education Area; = Education and Training Monitor 2022; = European Education Area Portal; = Education Summit 2022; = Erasmus+.

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