BNS - Estonian students are third in Europe after Finland and Ireland for their reading skills and their knowledge of mathematics and science subjects, it appears from a recent European Commission report.

According to the Education Ministry the number of students with a poor achievement level in science subjects is three times lower in Estonia than the average in Europe.

The number of adults in life-long learning has sharply increased. Although data from 2000 shows that Estonia's indicator was one of the lowest (6.7%), in 2008 it was firmly among the average countries in Europe with 9.8%.

In terms of the number of persons aged from 18 to 24, Estonia is close to the European average, but the number of people dropping out has decreased. Although the share was still 15.1% in 2000 and 14.4% in 2007, last year it fell to 14%.

The European Commission presented its recent report on the situation of education and schooling in the EU at a meeting of EU education ministers.

The report mentions that although achievement of four of the five education aims set for 2010 seems unlikely in Estonia, the country stands  out with its results.