ET 2020
Politicians at the European level have recognised that education and training are essential to the development of today's knowledge society and economy. The EU's strategy emphasises countries working together and learning from each other.
EU education and training policies have gained impetus since the adoption of the Lisbon Strategy in 2000, the EU's overarching programme focusing on growth and jobs. The strategy recognised that knowledge, and the innovation it sparks, are the EU's most valuable assets, particularly in light of increasing global competition.
EU Member States and the European Commission strengthened co-operation in 2009 with strategic framework for European cooperation in education and training ("ET 2020") a follow-up to the earlier Education and Training 2010 work programme launched in 2001.
The approach recognises that high-quality pre-primary, primary, secondary, higher and vocational education and training are fundamental to Europe's success. However, in a rapidly changing world, lifelong learning needs to be a priority – it is the key to employment, economic success and allowing people to participate fully in society.
Aims
The long-term strategic objectives of EU education and training policies are:
Activities
EU level activities are being developed to address priority areas in each of the different levels of education and training. These include, for example, expanding opportunities for learning mobility or enhancing partnerships between education and training institutions and the broader society.
Other actions are relevant to all levels of education, such as promoting multilingualism, innovation, creativity and adoption of ICT (Information and Communication Technology).
A series of benchmarks are set for 2020 :
Read more about monitoring progress and find the latest reports.
Read more about the exchange of good practice and peer learning activities.
Read more about European reference tools.
EU education and training policies have gained impetus since the adoption of the Lisbon Strategy in 2000, the EU's overarching programme focusing on growth and jobs. The strategy recognised that knowledge, and the innovation it sparks, are the EU's most valuable assets, particularly in light of increasing global competition.
EU Member States and the European Commission strengthened co-operation in 2009 with strategic framework for European cooperation in education and training ("ET 2020") a follow-up to the earlier Education and Training 2010 work programme launched in 2001.
The approach recognises that high-quality pre-primary, primary, secondary, higher and vocational education and training are fundamental to Europe's success. However, in a rapidly changing world, lifelong learning needs to be a priority – it is the key to employment, economic success and allowing people to participate fully in society.
Aims
The long-term strategic objectives of EU education and training policies are:
- Making lifelong learning and mobility a reality;
- Improving the quality and efficiency of education and training;
- Promoting equity, social cohesion and active citizenship;
- Enhancing creativity and innovation, including entrepreneurship, at all levels of education and training.
Activities
EU level activities are being developed to address priority areas in each of the different levels of education and training. These include, for example, expanding opportunities for learning mobility or enhancing partnerships between education and training institutions and the broader society.
Other actions are relevant to all levels of education, such as promoting multilingualism, innovation, creativity and adoption of ICT (Information and Communication Technology).
A series of benchmarks are set for 2020 :
- at least 95% of children between the age of four and the age for starting compulsory primary education should participate in early childhood education;
- the share of 15-years olds with insufficient abilities in reading, mathematics and science should be less than 15%;
- the share of early leavers from education and training should be less than 10%;
- the share of 30-34 year olds with tertiary educational attainment should be at least 40%;
- an average of at least 15 % of adults (age group 25-64) should participate in lifelong Learning
Read more about monitoring progress and find the latest reports.
Read more about the exchange of good practice and peer learning activities.
Read more about European reference tools.
