The European Commission was represented by Tibor Navracsics, Commissioner for Education, Culture, Youth and Sport. The meeting focused on most current challenges that education systems have to face. Education and training shall equip students with the knowledge and skills needed in the labour market but they also should ensure the acquirement of fundamental democratic and civic values. These are prerequisites for Europe’s social and economic development. For successful adaptation to labour market needs and continuous change it is inevitable not only to possess the theoretical knowledge and professional skills needed in a profession but also to build on a high level of basic skills (literacy, mathematics, basic scientific skills) and to master the necessary transversal skills, like problem solving, risk taking, cooperation, entrepreneurship.
The Council adopted a resolution on promoting socio-economic development and inclusiveness in the EU through education, as the contribution of education and training to the European Semester 2016. The document points out that there is a need for the targeted improvement of education and training systems in order to improve learning outcomes. Skills mismatches and skills gaps between educational outcomes and labour market needs need to be tackled. Students have to be prepared to adapt to continuous changes in the labour market and to further develop their knowledge, skills and competences when necessary. At the same time, it should be ensured that high quality education is accessible for all.
The Education Council discussed what main elements should be included in the New Skills Agenda that is currently under preparation by the European Commission. In this part of the meeting also Marianne Thyssen, Commissioner for Employment, Social Affairs, Skills and Labour Mobility participated. Research shows that 40% of EU citizens have only low level or no digital skills, yet these are essential to fully take part in today’s society and labour market. At the same time, 74 % of education providers believe graduates are prepared for work, but only 35% of employers agree with this statement. Strengthening the links between education and training and the labour market, - among others through dual vocational education and training and dual higher education - is a priority also in Hungary. Taking into consideration the rapid technological development and continuously changing economic and labour market conditions the increasing role of further learning and continuous, on the job training must be acknowledged.
Finally, education ministers also discussed the issue of promoting citizenship and fundamental values through education as a follow-up to the Paris Declaration on promoting citizenship and the common values of freedom, tolerance and non-discrimination through education that was adopted at the informal meeting of the EU education ministers and Commissioner Navracsics unanimously in Paris in March 2015. The discussion focused on citizenship education, the role of teachers and teacher training and media literacy with the aim of exchanging views and good practices among Members States. The introduction of service learning in secondary education that is a prerequisite of the school leaving examination from 2016 was presented as a good practice on behalf of Hungary.
