Comparative report
Foreword
Iliana Ivanova
European Commissioner for Innovation, Research, Culture, Education and Youth
Climate change is a defining challenge of our era. It poses important threat to people all over the world, also in Europe. It can only be tackled if we steer our societies and economies toward sustainability through a collective effort at the global level, underpinned by education and training. Everyone needs to do their part.
The European Education Area must equip pupils, students and teachers with the knowledge and skills to navigate both the green and digital transitions. This inclusive process needs to benefit learners of all ages, inspiring young people to become agents of change while at the same time upskilling and reskilling experienced workers.
This year’s Education and Training Monitor focuses on sustainability learning, highlighting the progress and gaps in teaching sustainability competences. While many national education systems already support the development of whole-school approaches to sustainability - combining knowledge, skills and attitudes – there is still room to deepen the focus on sustainability competences. This is crucial for creating fair, intergenerational change.
The Monitor also takes stock of progress towards achieving the European Education Area. Recent PISA results reveal a worrying decline in basic skills among young Europeans, putting us further from EU-level targets. The impact of COVID-19 is evident, but longer-term challenges persist.
The gap in educational outcomes based on socio-economic background is especially stark. It underscores the need for continued efforts to prevent early school leaving and improve foundational skills.
I hope that the evidence presented in the report will spark a meaningful discussion and action among policymakers, practitioners and stakeholders, and that it will help shape future policies for a sustainable and resilient society. Because education and training are important factors in shaping our common future.