EU ministers of education: Greater awareness of the cost of dropout

The Council adopted Conclusions on the Commission Communication on Efficiency and equity in European education and training systems. According to Minister Kalliomäki, these reforms, geared to improve efficiency while still assuring quality and equity, are crucial.

"An important aim for Europe is to lower drop-out rates and encourage young people to continue their education and training after compulsory schooling. We also need to investigate closer what the cost of dropout is to society. Investment in human resources accelerates economic growth and enhances welfare, but we need more reliable estimates of the benefits of education, or the cost of lacking education, for individuals. The Conclusions adopted by the Council will contribute towards achieving these aims."

In May 2006 the Commission issued a Communication on modernising higher education and in October a proposal for a regulation establishing the European Institute of Technology. The Council discussed the reform of European higher education and the European Institute of Technology on the basis of these Commission initiatives. According to Minister Kalliomäki, the ministers see the EIT as one means of promoting European competitiveness.

"The ministers feel that the EIT can be used as a means of boosting the competitiveness of European innovation systems both nationally and internationally. The discussion conducted here provides an excellent resource for deliberating the modernisation of the European higher education system and the promotion of EU innovation policy", Mr Kalliomäki stressed.

The Council reached general approach at a general level on the Commission proposal for a recommendation for a proposal on the establishment of a European Qualifications Framework (EQF). The purpose of the EQF is to step up mobility among European citizens and to promote lifelong learning by facilitating the definition and comparison of the equivalence of qualifications.

"This Framework is especially important because everyone should have opportunities not only to upgrade their knowledge and competencies but also the right to use their qualifications to the best possible effect. I think that the framework, being based on learning outcome and attained knowledge, will serve this purpose and promote the mobility of the labour force", said Minister Kalliomäki.

The Council adopted conclusions concerning the priorities in intensified European cooperation on vocational education and training, also known as the Copenhagen Process. The main aim is to enhance the quality and attractiveness of vocational education and training. To this end, action will be taken to improve the comparability of qualifications, to remove obstacles to mobility, to develop statistics and to enhance prerequisites for evidence-based policy. In December Finland will arrange a ministerial follow-up meeting to the Copenhagen Process, where the ministers will adopt a Helsinki Declaration based on the Council Conclusions.

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Further information:
- Counsellor Jari Jokinen, Finland's Permanent Representation, mobile + 32 47 659 9919
- Senior Advisor Johanna Jäntti, mobile +358 40 540 3078