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European co-operation in education
12/05/2009
Cabinet Secretary for Education and Lifelong Learning, Fiona Hyslop has attended the European Education Council in Brussels to support a new 10-year framework for European co-operation in education and training from 2010 until 2020.
The Cabinet Secretary attended the Council yesterday and today and pledged Scotland's support for the Education and Training 2020 benchmarks which look to establish a consensus across Europe in relation to skills and learning.
This visit comes a month after a stocktaking report, produced for the Bologna Conference in Leuven and Louvain-la-Neuve in Belgium this week, showed that Scotland was the only country out of the 46 taking part in the exercise to achieve full marks in the most recent assessment of progress, covering areas such as the transferability of qualifications, lifelong learning, quality assurance and employability.
Speaking after the Council Ms Hyslop said:
"I was pleased to attend the Council today and to set out Scotland's support for the 5 new Education and Training benchmarks.
"The benchmarks that were agreed by the Council today support the work we are doing in the Scottish Government in helping to increase skill levels and support lifelong learning for all.
"We are already working towards most of what was agreed here today but I was delighted to be able to meet representatives from other European countries and outline the excellent work that we are doing in Scotland.
"The Scottish Government is leading the way on early years and lifelong learning. We are taking action to boost basic skills in maths, reading and science through curriculum for excellence and the planned new literacy and numeracy assessments.
"This Government also recognises more has to be done to provide more choices and more chances to those who leave school early - I am passionate about improving the life chances of all young Scots and improving the destinations of this particularly hard to reach group is crucial.
"The Scottish Government's number one purpose is to achieve sustainable economic growth and it is so important, especially in the current financial climate, that we continue to invest in our people.
"People are our most valuable resource and I am determined to ensure that everyone in our society has the opportunity to make the most of their educational ability. This is not only important in helping us recover from the current downturn but it will ensure that everyone has the opportunity to continue to contribute to Scotland's future economic success."
Education and Training 2020 - benchmarks
Adult participation in lifelong learning
With a view to increasing the participation of adults in lifelong learning, particularly that of the low-skilled:
By 2020, an average of at least 15 per cent of adults should participate in lifelong learning.
Low achievers in basic skills
With a view to ensuring that all learners attain an adequate level of basic skills, especially in reading, mathematics and science:
By 2020, the share of low-achieving 15-years olds in reading, mathematics and science should be less than 15 per cent.
Tertiary level attainment
Given the increasing demand for higher education attainment, and whilst acknowledging the equal importance of vocational education and training:
By 2020, the share of 30-34 year olds with tertiary educational attainment should be at least 40 per cent.
Early leavers from education and training
As a contribution to ensuring that a maximum number of learners complete their education and training:
By 2020, the share of early leavers from education and training should be less than 10 per cent.
Early childhood education
With a view to increasing participation in early childhood education as a foundation for later educational success, especially in the case of those from disadvantaged backgrounds:
By 2020, at least 95 per cent of children between 4 years old and the age for starting compulsory primary education should participate in early childhood education.
Bologna
Launched, in 1999, the Bologna Process is a commitment to reform the higher education systems of the signatory European countries in a common direction. The aim is to create comparable and increasingly coherent systems of higher education across Europe, to maximise attractiveness, competitiveness, transferability and mobility within the European Higher Education Area (EHEA).
Based on cooperation between Governments, higher education institutions, students and staff and other Higher Education stakeholders from the 46 participating countries, Ministers meet every two to three to review progress and set priorities for the next period, though a Ministerial Communiqué.
The Ministers met in Leuven and Louvain-la-Neuve in Belgium on April 28 and 29, where they agreed the Leuven/Louvain-la-Neuve Communiqué.
A Stocktaking Report is produced for each Ministerial conference, outlining progress against the agreed priorities using a traffic light system to show how each country is progressing. Scotland has the main elements of the Bologna Process in place and is the only country to have a fully green scorecard for 2009.
The next full Ministerial Conference will be held in Bucharest in 2012.