A European report shows that 35 countries are not well positioned for successful lifelong learning.
The first European report on 15 quality indicators of lifelong learning examines the quality of lifelong learning in 35 European countries in four central areas: skills, competencies and attitudes, access and participation, resources for lifelong learning and strategies and systems.
The report shows clearly that Europe is, as a whole, not performing adequately in the area of skills and competencies. For example, with regard to attainment levels of 15 years olds, in literacy, mathematics and science:
- between 7% and 35% of 15 year-olds have been found to be inadequately prepared for engaging in a lifelong learning process in relation to their reading literacy skills.
- in the domain of numeracy, between 3% and 27% could be expected to experience difficulties with subsequent learning activities requiring numerical skills.
- in respect of scientific literacy, between 7% and 32% could be considered lacking in the requisite skills and knowledge for productive lifelong learning in this area.
In addition to the facts, high numbers of very low performing pupils pose a major challenge in many countries. This problem is compounded by relatively high levels, around 10%, of early school leavers (people not completing secondary education) in many countries, but again with a very big spread between countries, from well under 10% to in excess of 40%.
To inadequate initial preparation of young people, it is also evident from the report that there is a relatively low level of participation in education and training among the active population (participation rates vary considerably between 2% and 25%). This illustrates clearly the major challenges Europe is confronted with in trying to successfully establish lifelong learning.
In terms of investment in lifelong learning, the percentage of GDP invested in education in 2001 has ranged from just over 3% to almost treble that amount, 8.33%. Disparities are also evident in the amount of training given to teachers.
"If Europe is to achieve the goals set by the European Councils in Lisbon and Barcelona to make our continent a competitive knowledge-based economy and a world quality reference by 2010, important far-reaching reforms must now be introduced in most of our countries to make lifelong learning a reality. I hope that this first report on quality indicators of lifelong learning will serve as a useful tool to accelerate these reforms", European Commissioner for Education and Culture Viviane Reding said.
The report produced by the Working Group on Quality Indicators of lifelong learning, which is comprised of representatives from 35 countries, the OECD, UNESCO and the European Commission.
Indicators used in the report are: literacy, numeracy, new skills for the learning society, learning-to-learn skills, active citizenship, cultural and social skills, access, participation and investment in lifelong learning, ICT in learning, strategies for lifelong learning, coherence of supply, guidance and counselling, accreditation and certification and quality assurance.
Source: Europa Press Room
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