The European Commission has proposed a new education package that would bring AI literacy into classrooms, create cross-border school alliances and press national governments to improve teacher working conditions as basic skills decline across the bloc.
The package, announced on November 5, focuses on reading, mathematics, science, digital skills and citizenship education. Commission figures based on PISA 2025 show that 33.9 percent of EU 15-year-olds underachieved in mathematics, 31.3 percent in reading and 25.9 percent in science.
Those figures give the proposal particular relevance in Greece, where nearly half of 15-year-olds were below basic mathematics proficiency in a recent EU comparison.
AI Literacy Certificate Planned for 2027-28
The Commission said it will develop age-appropriate learning outcomes and assessment guidance for AI literacy. A pilot certificate for students is planned for the 2027-28 school year, built on an EU-OECD framework.
Roxana Mînzatu, the Commission executive vice president responsible for skills, told Euronews that pupils should learn how AI works, check its answers, recognize manipulation and decide when to put a screen aside.
The plan goes beyond software. Eight countries have created an Education European Digital Infrastructure Consortium, known as EDU-EDIC, to pool resources for trusted digital services, secure data exchange and cross-border education technology. A proposed Healthy Screens Pledge would give schools, families and students shared guidance on online safety and balancing screen time.
Teacher Agenda and Cross-Border Alliances
A proposed EU Teachers Agenda asks member states to make teaching careers more attractive through better working conditions, training and professional development. From 2027, revamped Teacher Academies would focus on novice teachers and school leaders, including the safe use of AI and the needs of diverse classrooms.
The package also calls for European School Alliances linking schools and local authorities in different countries. Each alliance would choose at least one basic skill, set a measurable improvement plan and share methods. Erasmus+ is expected to support the rollout, with the Commission aiming for as many as 100 alliances a year under the next EU budget.
The initiative arrives as students and teachers in Greece have rallied for better public education and demonstrated over costs and conditions. EU-level recommendations will depend on national budgets, staffing and implementation.
A separate vocational education strategy proposes shorter courses developed with employers, easier training exchanges and stronger recognition of sector skills. The Commission argues that the measures are needed as technology reshapes work and employers struggle to fill skilled positions.
The Commission plans to begin implementation discussions with governments, teachers, school networks, businesses and students at an education and skills summit on November 20.
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