The objective of the consultation is to collect the views of stakeholders on the problems faced by learners and workers with regard to the transparency and recognition of their skills and qualifications when moving within and between EU Member States, on the adequacy of the related European policies and instruments and on the potential benefits of developing a “European Area of Skills and Qualifications”.
The consultation is open until 15 April 2014.
The Programme for International Student Assessment (PISA) is a triennial international survey which aims to evaluate education systems worldwide by testing the skills and knowledge of 15-year-old students.
The latest set of results from the 2012 data collection focusing on mathematics is now available. Around 510.000 students in 65 economies took part in this test, representing about 28 million 15-year-olds globally. The PISA 2012 survey focused on mathematics, with reading, science and problem-solving minor areas of assessment. For the first time, PISA 2012 also included an assessment of the financial literacy of young people.
The Council adopted conclusions on effective leadership in education and the global dimension of European higher education. It also held a debate, in public deliberation, on OER (Open Educational Resources) and digital learning.
In the field of Youth, the Council adopted conclusions on enhancing the social inclusion of young people not in employment, education or training.
On 25 September 2013, the European Commission launched the Communication 'Opening up Education' to boost innovation and digital skills in schools and universities.
More than 60% of nine year olds in the EU are in schools which are still not digitally equipped. 'Opening up Education'is an action plan to tackle this and other digital problems which are hampering schools and universities from delivering high quality education and the digital skills which 90% of jobs will require by 2020. To help kick-off the initiative, the Commission launched a new website, Open Education Europa, which will allow students, practitioners and educational institutions to share free-to-use open educational resources.
The Survey of Adult Skills is the first comprehensive international assessment of the skills of the working age population, covering 24 countries, including 17 from the European Union.
This new strategy of the European Commission (11 July 2013) aims to ensure that European graduates gain the international skills they need to work anywhere in the world, and that Europe remains the most attractive destination for international students.
The Commission underlines that universities and other higher education institutions must also promote an international outlook among the 85% of students who are not mobile, so that they too acquire the international skills required in a globalised world.
The Irish Presidency (January - June 2013) came with a report that outlines what has been achieved in partnership with the Member States.
The Lithuanian Presidency (July - December 2013) presented its programme: 'For a Credible, Growing and Open Europe’.
The message of this edition is clear: education is the best protection against an economic crisis. It is a person's education that determines whether he or she will be extremely or only moderately exposed to the economic and social risks in times of crisis.
