Shrinking populations
The study revealed that teachers close to retirement are over-represented in schools, with many countries expected to see growing numbers of teachers leave their jobs in the near future. Italy, Sweden and Germany are among the worst affected, with over 45% of their primary school teachers aged fifty or older.
Teenagers are also dwindling in number, as the continent's ageing population shifts the demographic balance, notes the study. According to the report, the number of 10-14 year olds in the EU is expected to fall by 15% between 2000 and 2020, resulting in a drastic reduction of the school-going population.
"There are some challenges for us to work on," admitted Ján Figel', European commissioner for education, training and youth, commenting on the demographic difficulties. "It speaks of a clear need to act in many areas, but the situation is hardly gloomy," observed Figel' optimistically.
He stressed that "we should not use the economic crisis and the falling student population as an excuse to reduce investment in education".
"To cut investment in education would be a mistake," argued Figel', adding that he "cannot see a long-term, reasonable economic strategy where education is not central". Adamant that "education should be the central part of innovation policy after 2010," the commissioner advised that learning should be the focus of any revised Lisbon Strategy.
More women in fuller universities
But the Eurydice study is not all doom and gloom, with success reported in key areas, according to Figel', who pointed to "the good news that we're enrolling ever-increasing numbers of pre-primary school children, and we've got more and more university students than before". The study also reports that the number of tertiary education students in Europe has increased by 25% between 1998 and 2006.
Females also continue to dominate European universities, Eurydice found. In almost all European countries, more women than men are enrolling in tertiary education, according to the study. For the EU 27 in 2006, there were on average 123 women enrolled for every 100 men.
To meet timely challenges and build on successes, the education sector must push on with reform, said Commissioner Figel', voicing his support for business involvement in education. But he concluded that private-sector involvement must not become "taboo", describing business as an important partner in improving European education standards.
