European Commission announces a revised set of priorities for Education and Training 2020 (ET 2020)

The European Council adopted the 2015 Joint Report on the implementation of the Strategic Framework for European Cooperation in Education and Training (ET 2020) for the years 2010-2020 on 23 November 2015. The report is a result of a mid-term stocktaking of ET 2020, which encompassed an independent evaluation, national reports, policy debate, and in-depth consultations with various stakeholders. Firstly, it took into account the progress made during the most recent work cycle (2012-2014) and reviewed the ET 2020 framework at its half-way stage. Secondly, it put forward several important proposals for adjustment.

In particular, the report called for policy coherence from early childhood education through to adult learning. It also addressed the need to strengthen the knowledge base and advance mutual learning with regard to current reform challenges. Furthermore, the Joint Report proposed to steer European cooperation under the ET 2020 framework up to 2020, thus increasing its work cycle from 3 to 5 years. Lastly, it announced six new priority areas for ET 2020, designed to contribute to the ET 2020 strategic objectives set by the Council in 2009. Notably, the priority areas cover various specific issues in education and training, ranging from early school leaving to the attractiveness and prestige of the teaching profession. The new priority areas are as follows:

• relevant and high-quality skills and competences for employability, innovation, and active citizenship;
• inclusive education, equality, non-discrimination, civic competences;
• open and innovative education and training, including fully embracing the digital era;
• strong support for educators;
• transparency and recognition of skills and qualifications;
• sustainable investment, performance and efficiency of education and training systems.

The list of new priorities for the 5 years up to 2020 is down from 13 during the previous work cycle; they will be followed-up through the ET 2020 working methods and its tool box. The issue areas listed aim to make sure education and training systems, among other things, pay more attention to social mobility and equality, enhance social cohesion, help prevent radicalisation, and lay the foundations for democratic values and active citizenship.