European Trade Union Committee for Education

On 22 February 2017 the European Commission has published the Country Reports  for each EU Member State, which form the basis for the dialogue ahead of the presentation of the National Reform Programmes in April 2017 and the preparation of the Country Specific Recommendations in May 2017. The Country Reports monitor reforms and point to issues that EU Member States should address.  All the Country Reports include a chapter on Education and training systems. The Country Reports of the European Semester are a crucial element in the Semester process. They are the annual analysis of the economic and social situation in the EU Member States, including an assessment of imbalances. Following the publication of the Annual Growth Survey 2017 (AGS 2017) in November 2016, which sets the European priorities for the forthcoming year, the publication of the Country Reports marks the beginning of the “national” European Semester, ahead of the reform programmes’ presentation. Alongside the Country Reports the European Commission has also published a Communication on the European Semester 2017: Assessment of progress of structural reforms.

This year, according to the ETUCE Thematic Overview, the Country Reports 2017 in the field of education and training address:

• Overall quality of education
• Investment in education
• Quality of Higher Education and Research
• Private/public developments in higher education and performance-based funding
• Research and Development (R&D)
• Inclusive education
• Quality of Vocational Education and Training
• Labour market relevance of education

ETUCE welcomes the fact that education is widely recognised as vital to tackle persistent threats such as unemployment, slow economic growth, pressure on public finances and growing inequalities. It helps people to be equipped with knowledge, competences and skills they need to find better employment opportunities, and to increase social well-being and democratic participation in society. “This year”, commented Susan Flocken, ETUCE European Director, “we welcome the focus of the Country Reports on inclusive quality education, especially for those pupils and students coming from the most disadvantaged background, including migrants and refugees. However”, she continued, “investment in education and the attractiveness and status of the teaching profession are a prerequisite to quality education for all”. In October 2017, the ETUCE presented its priorities on the Annual Growth Survey 2017 - ETUCE priorities, outlining the policy challenges and priorities for the education sector to contribute to the 2017 Annual Growth Survey (AGS). The paper presented was in line and followed on the ETUC priorities on the AGS 2017.

Read the ETUCE Thematic Overview of the Country Reports 2017 of the European Semester