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Nine out of ten EU citizens think that lifelong learning is important according to a new Eurobarometer survey. 80% see it as good both economically and socially. Most people agree that learning should not be limited to any particular age group and, while seeing reading, writing and arithmetic as the most useful, recognise that ICT, foreign language and other skills are necessary in the new Europe. Despite this only 58% said that they could use a computer while half could not use the Internet and 60% knew no foreign language. Respondents were split on the best place to learn with women more likely to have learned at home or in local libraries and learning centres; people in paid employment however, particularly men, reported that workplace training had been more important for them. There was also a regional variation with over half of people in the Nordic countries taking part in education and training compared to about 20% in Greece and Portugal. In Spain and Portugal half of those surveyed were not interested in learning.
A new Eurostat survey has revealed the poor record of the United Kingdom on continuing education. Only 55% of British 18 year olds were still in the education system in 2000/2001, the lowest figure of all EU members; in all countries except Austria there were more females than males in this category. Women were also more numerous than men as secondary school teachers in most of the European Union. Another focus of the survey is the number of mathematics and science graduates being produced as this is a key indicator under the 'Lisbon' process to stimulate innovation and research. Here Ireland comes out on top with about 23 per 1000 of people aged between 20 and 29 being in this category. Figures vary among the new EU entrants with the Czech Republic top of the 18 year olds' league and Lithuania ahead in science and maths.
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