Publication of a joint report on the progress of Education and Training 2020 (ET 2020)

Established in May 2009, Education and Training 2020 (ET 2020) offers Member States, the Commission and education institutions a forum to exchange best practices, information and advice for policy reforms. The Commission coordinates this tool of cooperation.

The ET 2020 strategic framework covers learning of all forms and at all levels of the lifelong learning process, including early childhood education andschools through to higher education, vocational education and training and adult learning.

In 2014, the Commission and Member States started a mid-term stocktaking exercise to assess progress made since 2012 and to help prepare the next priorities for cooperation in education and training at European level. As part of this exercise, an independent evaluation, several national reports and consultations with national officials, European social partners and other education and training stakeholders were carried out during 2014.The draft report on a stretagy in the field of education and training - jointly written by the European Commission and the member states - was published on 1 September 2015. This report calls for strengthening cooperation in these areas up to 2020, and especially to promote social inclusion.

The report proposes a sharper policy focus to better address the most pressing challenges facing our society. The six new priorities identified in the report include improving people's skills and employment prospects and creating open, innovative and digital learning environments, while at the same time cultivating fundamental values of equality, non-discrimination and active citizenship.

The Council was expected to adopt the report by the end of the year.