Declining performance and persistent staff shortages in education across Europe

Declining performance and persistent staff shortages in education across Europe

Students return to classrooms after the summer as Europe’s education systems continue to struggle with falling performance and a shortage of qualified teachers. An OECD study published in December 2023 showed a decline in students’ basic skills and competences such as mathematics, reading and science. How does the EU promote quality education across the bloc?

Europe in brief: Von der Leyen visits Western Balkans to discuss EU enlargement

Europe in brief: Von der Leyen visits Western Balkans to discuss EU enlargement

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen visited BiH as part of a four-day tour of the Western Balkans to discuss EU enlargement. German Finance Minister Christian Lindner questions Germany’s ability to phase out coal as an energy source by 2030. Croatian Prime Minister Andrej Plenković hopes his country would join the OECD in 2026.