Strategic framework for European cooperation in education and training towards the European education area and beyond

SUMMARY OF:

Resolution on a strategic framework for European cooperation in education and training towards the European Education Area and beyond (2021–2030)

Resolution on the governance structure of the strategic framework for European cooperation in education and training towards the European Education Area and beyond (2021–2030)

WHAT IS THE AIM OF THE RESOLUTIONS?

The first resolution (adopted in February 2021) sets out the main tool at the European Union (EU) level for cooperation in education and training for the current decade. The strategic framework for European cooperation in education and training towards the European education area (EEA) and beyond (2021–2030) is meant to support EU Member States’ efforts to improve national education and training systems with the help of complementary EU-level tools, mutual learning and the exchange of good practices using the open method of coordination. Up to 2030, achieving and further developing the EEA is the overarching political objective of the strategic framework.
The second resolution (adopted in November 2021) provides orientation and guiding principles for the governance structure of the strategic framework, so that the work to take place in this context may be appropriately steered and coordinated.

KEY POINTS

Five strategic priorities

1.
Improving quality, equity, inclusion and success for all in education and training.
2.
Making lifelong learning and mobility a reality for all.
3.
Enhancing competences and motivation in the education profession.
4.
Reinforcing European higher education.
5.
Supporting the green and digital transitions in and through education and training.

EU-level targets

In the February 2021 resolution, Member States also agreed on seven EU-level targets to be reached.

1.
Low-achieving 15-year-olds in basic skills
The share of low-achieving 15-year-olds in reading, mathematics and science should be less than 15% by 2030.
2.
Low-achieving eighth graders in digital skills
The share of students in their eighth year of schooling who are low-achieving in computer and information literacy should be less than 15% by 2030.
3.
Participation in early childhood education and care
At least 96% of children between 3 years old and the starting age for compulsory primary education should be participating in early childhood education and care by 2030.
4.
Early leavers from education and training
The share of early leavers from education and training should be less than 9% by 2030.
5.
Tertiary-level attainment
The share of 25–34 year olds with tertiary educational attainment should be at least 45% by 2030.
6.
Exposure of vocational education and training graduates to work-based learning
The share of recent graduates from vocational education and training (VET) benefiting from exposure to work-based learning during their VET should be at least 60% by 2025.
7.
Participation of adults in learning
At least 47% of adults aged 25–64 should have participated in learning during the last 12 months by 2025.

Monitoring and reporting

In order to monitor the process, Member States and the European Commission will work closely together to take stock of the work done at the technical level, evaluating the process and its outcomes. Annual monitoring will also take place through the Commission’s Education and Training Monitor, which tracks progress towards achieving all the agreed EU-level targets and indicators, including subindicators, in the field of education and training, and also contributes to the European semester process.

Several stages of progress reporting are set out. An EEA progress report was published by the Commission in November 2022. A mid-term review will follow in 2023 and a full report on the EEA will be published in 2025.

Governance structure

The guiding principles for the governance structure of the strategic framework, as outlined in the November 2021 resolution, are:

ownership and inclusion;
responsibility;
transparency, continuity and effectiveness; and
collaboration and cooperation.

The resolution sets up a new body under the High Level Group on Education and Training (HLG), namely the HLG Coordination Board. This new body will have a coordination and support function. The presidency, in cooperation with partners in the trio presidency and the Commission, takes the lead role with regard to coordinating the work of the HLG under the strategic framework.

BACKGROUND

For further information, see:

European education area explained (European Commission)
European education area (Council of the European Union).

MAIN DOCUMENTS

Council Resolution on a strategic framework for European cooperation in education and training towards the European Education Area and beyond (2021–2030) (OJ C 66, 26.2.2021, pp. 1–21).

Council Resolution on the governance structure of the strategic framework for European cooperation in education and training towards the European Education Area and beyond (2021–2030) (OJ C 497, 10.12.2021, pp. 1–4).