The key facts

  • The European Commission proposed an education package: basic skills, 'European School Alliances', AI literacy and the 'EU Teachers Agenda'
  • The pilot AI Literacy Certificate is planned from the 2027/28 school year
  • Student protests continue in France, Belgium, Italy, Germany and Portugal; in France, 81 high schools were blockaded

The European Commission's new package

The European Commission on Thursday presented an education package aimed at addressing the shortage of teachers and the growing use of artificial intelligence in education, Anadolu reports. Among the key initiatives is a recommendation on tackling the decline in basic skills: it provides for targeted reforms and investment, greater autonomy for schools and teachers, and wider use of evidence-based teaching methods. The Commission also plans to create 'European School Alliances', bringing together schools and education authorities from member states to improve student performance.

Digital education and teachers

In the field of digital education, the Commission announced the development of age-appropriate AI literacy learning outcomes and assessment guidance, as well as a pilot 'AI Literacy Certificate' for students from the 2027/28 school year. Additionally, it plans to propose a 'European Healthy Screens Pledge' with recommendations for schools, parents and students on online safety, screen time and balancing digital and offline activities. To address the shortage of teachers, the proposed 'EU Teachers Agenda' calls on member states to improve working conditions, career prospects, initial training and professional development for teachers, and to strengthen their role in the use of AI.

Protests against the backdrop of the announcement

The announcement came amid ongoing student demonstrations and broader protests in France and other European countries, including Belgium, Italy, Germany and Portugal: young people and teachers point to underfunding of schools and universities, teacher shortages and the cost of education. On Thursday, students took to the streets across France again, and the education ministry reported that 81 high schools (lycées) had been blockaded. The Commission did not directly link the presented package to the protests — the timing coincidence is noted by the Anadolu publication itself.