Official advisers point to problems ahead

Millennium Education Targets "Will Not Be Met"

The advisers say they doubt that the aim of 75% of 19-year-olds having key skills in communication, numeracy and information technology will be met. Last year, only 9.7% achieved the required level.

And the idea that 60% of the workforce as a whole should achieve two A-levels, or the vocational equivalent, is deemed higly unlikely. Last year's figure was 41.8%.

In the annual report of the National Advisory Council for Education and Training Targets (NACETT), the chairman, Derek Wanless, paid tribute to the overall improvement in the level of educational achievement in Britain.

But he warned that other targets set for the millennium - while achievable - could be reached only with urgent action from the Government to raise attainment levels further.

"We still have a long way to go to reach the targets - and only four years to get there," Mr Wanless said.

The Government needed to lead the way, but the effort had to involve all concerned, from employers and trades unions to teachers, parents, pupils and students.

This year's GCSE and A-level results - due out on Thursday - will give the latest indication of progress towards two important NACETT targets.

The targets specify that by the year 2000, 85% of 19-year-olds should have achieved five good GCSE passes and 60% of 21-year-olds two A-levels - or their vocational equivalents.

The NACETT report shows that annual increases of 3.5% at GCSE level and 3.2% at A-level would be required over the next four years to meet the targets, which were set under the last Conservative administration.

The Education Minister, Baroness Blackstone, says the Government is committed to high education standards.

"We now need to identify targets for the other main areas of education and skills attainment, where we all feel we need to do better," she said.

"That is why we are holding this consultation exercise. It will provide a valuable opportunity to reflect on the lessons learned over the past six years, and to look afresh at what National Targets can and cannot be expected to achieve."