Education ministers to propose European area of learning
The European Union's Education Council has agreed to submit a proposal for a European area of learning to the European Council, which will include action on research, education, higher education, vocational training and lifelong learning. The decision by the Education ministers is a response to a document drawn up by the Commission on the subject as part of the Lisbon targets to create the most competitive knowledge based economy in the world during the current decade. At the Council, ministers agreed that the main priority in the field of education must be to improve quality, closely followed by the need to foster a culture of 'endeavour' in education systems. Ministers also made the pledge to report to the European Council periodically on the progress made towards their common goals, and agreed on the application of performance indicators. Under a Spanish Presidency initiative, the Council also agreed to prepare a decision on lifelong learning and its integration into the European area of learning, which will be presented to the Seville European Council in June. Ministers also stated that an action plan on skills and mobility should play a role in the construction of the area of learning.
Kraje
Spain