The importance of high quality education in building a resilient and competitive Europe is recognised by the European Commission. However, the latest results from the Programme for International Student Assessment (PISA) survey indicate weaknesses in competence development. In some countries, poor educational outcomes are being transferred from generation to generation, making the fight against inequality more difficult. Concrete action is needed, therefore, to bridge this gap and ensure that all pupils are equipped with the right skills and competences needed in today's economy and society. The Commission’s education package, adopted in May 2017, is designed to support member states in working towards this objective with a series of actions aimed at delivering on the commitments made by the Commission in the Investing in Europe’s Youth initiative.

At this Breakfast Briefing, EU Vice-President Jyrki Katainen and EU Commissioner Tibor Navracsics presented the education package and outlined how the Commission intends to further cooperate with member states to make both school and higher education more inclusive and future-oriented.