Recent trends in privatisation and marketisation of education and training tend to favour a vision of education as an individual and consumable good. This ongoing process has sought to push education in the direction of human capital formation and job preparation. Education is brashly depicted as an industry, as a source of profits and a zone of competitiveness. Moreover, throughout the past few years, public investment in education and training has decreased:
The concept of education as common good marks a disjuncture to this narrative, highlighting the purposes of education as a collective societal endeavour. In this perspective, education can be articulated as the result of a process of co-production among all components of society and not a reflection of private interests. Funding in education, training and lifelong learning opportunities should focus specifically on fair access, vulnerable groups and inclusion in representation.
That’s why, for this years’ annual campaign, LLLP is focusing on investment in education and training. Specifically, LLLP’s aim is to collectively call for a reform in public funding for education and training:
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As part of our campaign on investment in education and training, we have put together an extensive study on the current state of investments, challenges faced and future prospects. While the value of quality education and training is strongly acknowledged across EU Member States, it remains the case that public expenditure has failed to recover to pre-financial crisis levels at the EU level. Our study tracks the extent to which public expenditure on education and training has changed over time and puts forth the case for a marked increase in levels of public expenditure as a necessary policy tool for addressing the economic and social fallout of Covid-19.
We provide insight into:
The crucial role of public funding in education and training
2008 – 2015: Public expenditure in education and training under threat
2016 – 2020: No return to pre financial crisis levels of expenditure
The true cost of the decrease in public expenditure for education and training
Re-writing the European fiscal rules