With better training quality of education providers and more support networks for learning, the completion rate for Romani children in general education will be significantly improved (in Ljubljana, 54.3% on average in secondary education against 18.7% for Roma).

All Member States recognise the importance of education, and most have set goals that generally go beyond the minimum standard of primary school completion set forth in the EU Framework, covering a broader spectrum of education from pre-school[12] to secondary and even tertiary education.

At present (2002), an average of only 1.3 and 1.6 foreign languages per pupil are taught in the Member States in general lower- and upper-secondary education respectively.

All European pupils have to continue with a foreign language at least until the end of their compulsory education, except in Italy and Wales; While teaching of a second foreign language generally becomes compulsory at secondary level, it is already compulsory at primary level in Luxembourg (80% of pupils are affected), Estonia, Sweden and Iceland; English, French, German, Spanish and Russian account for 95% of the languages learned at secondary level in the majority of countries; English is the most widely-taught language at primary level everywhere apart from Belgium and Luxembourg.

Priorities: Ensure that all children can access and complete compulsory schooling, broaden access to upper secondary education, and improve the provision of schools for minority groups. Complete reform of vocational education and monitor to ensure adaptability to longterm needs of the labour market. Assess appropriateness of higher education provision to medium-term needs.

Attended by leading experts from all Member States of the European Community and a range of Member States of the Council of Europe's Council for Cultural co-operation, including Yugoslavia, Poland and Hungary, the conference aims to examine existing educational experience and to review patterns of provision in relation to : - the intensive study of foreign languages at the early stages of secondary education; - the use of foreign languages as a medium of instruction; - the introduction of a European Dimension into secondary education; - the creation of foreign language sections by secondary schools; - the provision of European/intern ...[+++]ational school leaving examinations alongside national school leaving examinations.