EU's education report highlights more investment needed

Progress in education attainment across Europe has been achieved but investment is still needed to make education more inclusive, the European Commission said in an annual report Thursday.

The Commission on Thursday published the latest edition of the 2015 education and training monitor, an annual report measuring Europe's progress in education under the Europe 2020 target.

The report shows that education levels completed by Europeans are improving across the EU, as many member states have reached their goals in increasing the number of students completing higher levels of education and minimizing those leaving education early.

However, big differences still exist among member states.

It reveals that pupils from disadvantaged and immigrant backgrounds are most at risk of not reaching minimal educational standards.

Evidence gathered for the monitor shows that 15-year olds with low socio-economic status are five times more likely not to achieve basic skills like literacy and numeracy than their peers from better-off backgrounds.

It also shows that foreign-born students are twice as likely as native-born students to leave school before graduating.

The report highlights the need for further investment and to make European education and training more open and supportive for disadvantaged people at risk of exclusion.

Tibor Navracsics, EU Commissioner for Education, Culture, Youth and Sport, said: "Education is crucial if we are to boost economic growth and build cohesive societies. As Europe's education systems improve, it is therefore important that the benefits of this success are shared by those most at risk."

"This requires new and reinforced investment into education to ensure high quality open, supportive and tolerant learning environments for all," said Navracsics. Endit