European Council adopts education targets in EU 2020 strategy

The European Council has adopted the so-called EU 2020 strategy for economic growth. After pressure from ESU and other organisations, the strategy includes a target to increase the share of 30-34 year olds having completed tertiary or equivalent education to at least 40 per cent. “This is very good news both for Europe in general and for those who want to realise their potential through higher education in particular”, says ESU Chairperson, Bert Vandenkendelaere.

“This decision is also an achievement for all who believed in and fought for a European target to increase higher education participation.

“ESU will continue to fight not only for targets, but also for the practical realisation of these targets. The ball is now in the hands of the national governments, who have to make these goals concrete. In this process, they must make sure to include the national unions of students both in definitions of national targets and measures to reach the targets, “ says Vandenkendelaere.

The Council will also try to improve general education levels, in particular “by aiming to reduce school drop-out rates to less than 10 per cent”.

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