Malta has ranked as the lowest performer among EU member states in an annual report on education systems. From five categories, Malta ranks as the lowest performer in three (early school leavers, upper secondary attainment, and maths and science and technology graduates). Its data has not yet included in the benchmark for low achievers in reading. With regards to adult participation in lifelong learning it was not ranked as either the top or the worst performer.

The European Commission on Thursday presented the latest data on member states' progress towards 2010 goals set under the Lisbon strategy.

Overall, Europe is making progress in all five areas - with the exception of low achievers in reading. However, although education and training has been improving slowly but steadily in EU member states since 2000, progress needs to be faster in almost all areas in order to reach the 2010 targets.

The EU has made good progress in increasing the number of maths, science and technology (MST) graduates - and has already exceeded the benchmark of 15 per cent growth.

The EU has made some progress in reducing the number of early school leavers; increasing upper secondary attainment of young people; and in increasing adult participation in lifelong learning. Progress in all these areas, however, has to be faster in order to reach the benchmarks for 2010.

The EU has not managed to bring down the share of low achievers in reading. Instead of a 20 per cent decrease, the benchmark set for 2010, results have deteriorated since 2000 and the share of low achievers in the EU has increased by more than 10 per cent.

The report highlights individual member states' performances and their progress in relation to each of the five benchmark indicators, identifying which countries are catching up or falling behind, losing momentum or moving further ahead compared to the others.

Source: di-ve.com