Record number of early school leavers

Young people in Spain are more likely to leave school early and have difficulty entering the job market, according to a Unesco report published today. 'Education for All 2012, finds that one in three Spaniards between 15 and 24 years of age abandoned their studies before finishing secondary school. The European average is one in five. In a country hard hit by the crisis, authors of the report have described the trend as "worrying". In March youth unemployment in Spain exceeded 50%. The report checks the progress of the 2015 Millennium educational goals set in Dakkar. According to the report young Europeans are lacking in professional skills. "They are not able to fulfill their potential. They lose work opportunities which as a result inhibits their country from become prosperous again". Between 2007 and 2009 unemployment rates of early European school leavers 'increased significantly'. The study found Germany to be the only exception. Spain was undoubtedly the worst hit. In Spain the phenomenon of 'ni-ni' - young people who neither study nor look for work, is becoming more common. "At least a quarter of young Spaniards who left their studies at the end of the first cycle of secondary education, and a fifth of those who abandoned their studies after secondary school aren't even looking for a job," the report finds. But Unesco warns that simply creating jobs won't pull countries out of crisis. "Europe must equip its young with professional skills, experience and the ability to adapt to new technologies", the report adds. Better professional formation - like that in Germany, is the key to preparing the young for work. The effort pays dividends. Experts estimate that every dollar invested in education and training yields a return of 10 dollars for the country's economy.