Eurybase - Descriptions of National Education Systems and Policies
What is Eurybase?
Eurybase describes the organisation of education systems in 31 European countries. It contains three types of descriptions:
- National System Overviews
- National Education System Descriptions
- Structures of Education and Training Systems in Europe
Description of Eurybase publications
National System Overviews: This series gives a brief but effective overview of the education systems in 31 countries, from pre-primary level to higher education. Updated twice a year, it also provides information on ongoing reforms and debate in the field of education. The general structure of each National System Overview is similar so that the information concerned is readily comparable:
- Education population and language of instruction
- Administrative control and extent of public-sector funded education
- Pre-primary education
- Compulsory education
- Post-compulsory/upper secondary education and post-secondary level
- Higher education
- Special needs
- Teachers
- Ongoing reforms and topics of debate in education
National Education System Descriptions are highly detailed reports on education systems covered by the Eurydice Network. The reports are updated annually by the National Units in the Network, in English and often also in their national language. The reference year, which is clearly specified on the cover of each language version, may vary from one country to the next depending on the period required to collect the data for updates.
Each country description is structured into 11 subject-based chapters:
- Political, social and economic background and trends
- General organisation of the education system and administration of education
- Pre-primary education
- Primary education
- Secondary and post-secondary non-tertiary education
- Tertiary education
- Continuing education and training for young school leavers and adults
- Teachers and education staff
- Evaluation of educational institutions and the education system
- Special education support
- The European and international dimension in education
A summary of relevant legislation, a list of institutions, a glossary and a bibliography round off the description of each education system.
Structures of Education and Training Systems in Europe is a series of national descriptions outlining all types and phases of learning. Therefore, these descriptions may be regarded as an important support to all those wishing to obtain complete and succinct information on one or more national education system(s). The general structure of each national description is similar to allow quick and easy comparison.
As from 2009/10, the descriptions are organised as follows:
Introduction: general policy context
- Initial education and training: organisation, funding and quality assurance
- Pre-primary education
- Primary education/Single structure education
- Secondary education/Upper secondary education
- Post-secondary non-tertiary education
- Tertiary education
- Continuing education and training
This initiative is a result of close collaboration between the Eurydice network, Cedefop (European Centre for the Development of Vocational Training) and the ETF (European Training Foundation). If you wish to obtain more detailed information on vocational education and training in Europe, please consult the Cedefop database.
| Last update: 20/01/2010 | Print | Top of page |
