The European Commission proposes measures to combat functional illiteracy and integrate AI into education

Update

European Commission launches education package: School Alliances, AI certification and basic skills measures

The European Commission has launched the 'European Education and Skills Package', an initiative proposing European School Alliances and AI certification, as one third of European students, and approximately half of Romanian students, do not reach the minimum level in reading and mathematics. ^[2]

Functional illiteracy affects one third of European 15-year-old students in reading, with a similar proportion in mathematics. In Romania, the situation is more critical: 52% of students of this age do not reach the minimum level in mathematics, and 48% in reading. These data formed the basis for the elaboration of the package, which emphasizes strengthening reading, mathematics, sciences, developing safe digital infrastructure, improving teachers' conditions, and modernizing vocational and technical education. ^[2]

Executive Vice President of the European Commission, Roxana Mînzatu, presented the package on Thursday, highlighting the importance of preparing young people for a constantly changing future. The initiative includes recommendations from the EU Council and the proposal for a Consortium for European Digital Infrastructure in Education (EDU-EDIC), accompanied by the European Strategy for Education and Vocational Training. ^[2]

The package provides for the annual creation of 100 European School Alliances, through which schools and authorities from multiple countries will receive grants of one million euros to develop tested methods for improving a basic skill, such as reading. Each alliance will choose at least one of the five priorities: reading and writing, mathematics, sciences, digital or civic skills. Romania participates in the pilot phase through four schools in Buzău and Vâlcea, funded with 20 million euros from Erasmus+. Additionally, the European Support and Counseling Network will become operational in the first quarter of 2027. ^[2]

Technology usage is becoming increasingly widespread: Eurostat shows that 63.8% of young Europeans (aged 16-24) used generative artificial intelligence in 2025, and in Romania, 40% of 15-year-old students use an AI chatbot at least once a week for learning. ^[2]

To manage this penetration, the Commission proposes testing an AI skills certificate for 15-year-old students, starting with the 2027-2028 school year. Students will learn to check AI answers, understand the limitations of technology, and use it responsibly. Through the EDU-EDIC Consortium, Member States will build a common digital base, testing cutting-edge technologies and establishing clear methods for protecting students' data. ^[2]

The certificate will also teach students to recognize manipulation and decide when to work without digital assistance. Mînzatu announced that, starting in 2027, the Commission will propose a 'European Commitment for Healthy Screen Use', allowing schools and families to set rules regarding time spent in front of screens, online safety, and balance with offline activities. ^[2]

Another major priority focuses on the working conditions of teachers. ^[2]

25 out of 27 Member States are facing a shortage of teachers, and only a quarter believe their voice is heard in the development of educational policies. Romania has lost almost 5,000 teachers in a year, while the number of students has increased by 20,000, the first increase since 2020, aggravated by the reduction in hourly pay and the extension of the workload from 18 to 20 hours per week. Proposed solutions include the European Teachers' Agenda, Teacher Academies 2.0 for new educators, and the elimination of bureaucracy through the Competence Portability Act to encourage mobility. ^[2]

The European Strategy for Education and Vocational Training aims to involve small businesses in apprenticeship programs. ^[2]

The gap compared to the EU average in vocational education is clearly signaled: in 2025, only 9.1% of Romanian vocational education graduates (aged 20-34) had at least one month of practice, compared to 66% at the European level. To remedy this, the Commission will test a European sectoral training accelerator starting in 2027, allowing providers of short courses to quickly respond to employer needs, such as digitalization in the automotive sector. ^[2]

Education funding remains the sole responsibility of Member States, but the EU can support cooperation and joint projects. ^[2]

In 2024, public administrations in the EU invested 860 billion euros in education, equivalent to 4.8% of the EU's GDP and 9.7% of public spending. For the 2021-2027 period, approximately 150 billion euros are already allocated through Erasmus+ and the European Social Fund Plus. ^[2]

Update

EU Objective: Less than 15% of students with poor results by 2030

EU Member States have set the objective of reducing the share of 15-year-old students with poor results in reading, mathematics, and science to below 15% by 2030, highlighting the urgency of intervention given that one third of European adolescents and almost half of Romanian students do not reach the minimum proficiency level. ^[3]

The initiative is part of the European Education and Skills Package, presented by the Executive Vice President of the European Commission, Roxana Mînzatu, on November 5, 2026, in Brussels. ^[3]

The European Commission also aims to reduce the share of Grade 8 students with poor results in IT competencies and information literacy to below 15% by 2030, according to the official statement of the Community Executive. ^[3]

Executive Vice President Roxana Mînzatu detailed that each School Alliance will choose at least one of the five basic skills (reading and writing, mathematics, sciences, digital and civic skills), and schools will compare results and share methods, including for disadvantaged environments. The performance target includes increasing the share of 15-year-old students with top results in reading, mathematics, and science to at least 12%, as well as increasing the share of students from disadvantaged backgrounds with good results in at least one of these subjects to 25%. The Commission calls on Member States to turn these objectives into national priorities and monitor them through the European Semester mechanism. ^[3]

European School Alliances are long-term cross-border partnerships between schools and educational authorities, aimed at accelerating the dissemination of effective practices on a large scale, with active involvement of authorities from the start. The Erasmus+ program will provide dedicated support for launching Alliances in 2027, with the ambition of creating up to 100 new alliances annually starting in 2028. ^[3]

The new EU Network for Counseling and Support Services will bring together agencies and bodies from Member States to help schools through practical support, focusing on school management, socio-emotional well-being, AI preparation, and community engagement. The network, operational in the first quarter of 2027, will connect national services to offer personalized guidance, with the first 30 regional services funded through Erasmus+ starting in 2028. Mînzatu emphasized the importance of collaboration between schools, parents, universities, and social services to address obstacles such as disinterest or cyberbullying, after PISA results showed a decline in family involvement. Romania is already participating in the pilot phase of the program through four schools in Buzău and Vâlcea, funded with 20 million euros from Erasmus+. ^[3]

The Commission calls for strengthening equal access for disadvantaged children to quality education and adequate support, focusing on early identification of learning difficulties and creating inclusive environments. Investments must be prioritized in schools in rural, isolated, and disadvantaged urban areas, and national authorities must stimulate teacher mobility to these areas. ^[3]

Update

The EU commits to reducing the number of students with poor results to below 15% by 2030

EU Member States have pledged to reduce the share of 15-year-old students with poor results in reading, mathematics, and science to below 15% by 2030. Approximately one third of European 15-year-old students and half of Romanian students do not reach the minimum proficiency level in reading and mathematics, according to the statement from the European Commission. The Commission also seeks to reduce the share of Grade 8 students with poor results in informational competencies and information literacy to below 15%, stated Roxana Mînzatu. ^[4]

Update

European Teachers' Agenda: combating the deficit and reducing bureaucracy

The European Education and Skills Package, presented by the Vice President of the European Commission, Roxana Mînzatu, includes the 'European Teachers' Agenda', an instrument urging Member States to develop strategies to combat the shortage of teachers, providing attractive working conditions and reducing administrative burdens, so that teachers have more time for interaction with students. At the national level, Romania has lost almost 5,000 teachers in a single year, a decrease superimposed on the first increase in the number of students since 2020 (by 20,000). This gap is aggravated by the reduction in hourly pay rates and the extension of the teaching norm from 18 to 20 hours per week. Specific measures for teachers include consolidating and redirecting 'Academies for Teachers 2.0', funded through Erasmus+, which will offer initial and continuous training for newcomers and school directors, focusing on child-centered AI use, teaching in diverse classes, and managing complex environments. Additionally, the 'Competence Portability Act' is proposed to eliminate bureaucracy in mobility procedures and encourage teaching in disadvantaged regions. ^[5]

Update

European Commission proposes measures to combat functional illiteracy and integrate AI into education

The European Education and Skills Package, presented by the Vice President of the European Commission, Roxana Mînzatu, includes the 'European Teachers' Agenda', through which EU Member States are urged to draft strategies to comprehensively address the shortage of teaching staff and provide them with attractive working conditions and reduced 'administrative tasks', to have more time to interact with students. The proposals were made in the context where 25 out of 27 Member States face a shortage of teachers, and only one in five teachers in the EU believes their voice is heard and that they can influence educational policies. At the national level, the latest data show that Romania has lost almost 5,000 teachers in a single year, a decrease superimposed on the growth of 20,000 students, the first reported since 2020, the reduction in hourly pay rates, and the increase from 18 to 20 hours per week in the teaching norm. One of the proposed solutions is the European Teachers' Agenda, whose objectives are to improve teachers' working conditions, as well as attract and retain good teachers in the education system, by stimulating Member States' investments in education. 'The proposal underscores the need to create attractive working conditions and adequate recognition of teachers' responsibilities, as well as the need to reduce administrative tasks for teachers to allow them to have more time to interact with students,' Roxana Mînzatu emphasizes. Likewise, adding the cited source, career flexibility and attracting 'underrepresented' groups are necessary, as well as strengthening initial teacher training, professional integration, and continuous professional development, which will help teachers and school leaders cope with challenges related to artificial intelligence, digital transformation, and increasingly diverse classrooms. Moreover, new European education policies aim to involve teachers and their representatives more closely in the development of educational policy. 'The Agenda targets digital transformation through AI technologies: teachers will be involved in the development of responsible AI use for learning, as well as digital tools that will reduce bureaucracy in education,' notes the cited source. According to the same source, dialogue is a fundamental value, which is why the Agenda stipulates that twice a year, social partners in education systems and teacher representatives will participate in high-level group meetings for Education and Training, identifying priorities and challenges, as well as concrete measures to be implemented. 'Academies for Teachers 2.0, funded through the Erasmus+ program, will be consolidated and redirected in 2027 to achieve better results in areas where needs are greatest. They will offer high-quality initial and continuous training for teachers, especially for novice teachers and school directors, particularly in the following areas: use of digital technologies and child-centered artificial intelligence (AI); teaching in diverse classes; managing complex classroom environments; collaborative leadership; democracy and resilience,' Mînzatu specified. Regarding European teacher mobility, Mînzatu says it can be achieved by granting specific facilities by national administrations and by eliminating bureaucracy 'from portability procedures through the Competence Portability Act', which she proposed 'back in September', so that teachers are encouraged to teach in disadvantaged regions. ^[6]

Update

AI Certificate for 15-year-old students, proposed by the European Commission

The European Commission proposes the inclusion of an AI skills certificate for 15-year-old students, starting with the 2027–2028 school year, within the European education package presented by the Executive Vice President of the European Commission, Roxana Mînzatu. ^[7]

Romania is among countries with poor education results: 52% of 15-year-old students do not reach the minimum level in mathematics, and 48% in reading, according to data presented in the context of the package of measures. ^[7]

The initiative includes EU Council recommendations and a proposal to create a European Consortium dedicated to digital infrastructure in education. At the European Union level, approximately one third of 15-year-old adolescents do not reach the minimum level in reading and mathematics, and one in four students is below the baseline in science. ^[7]

The Commission proposes the annual establishment of 100 European School Alliances, cross-border partnerships through which schools and authorities can test methods for improving basic skills, benefiting from grants of one million euros. Romania is already participating in the pilot phase of the program through four schools in Buzău and Vâlcea counties, benefiting from funding through the Erasmus+ program. ^[7]

Testing of the AI skills certificate is planned for the 2027-2028 school year, as a response to the extensive use of technology. A teacher support program and student AI certification are components of the European package. ^[7]

Establishment of a European Support and Counseling Network is proposed, which could become operational in the first quarter of 2027, offering guidance on student emotional support and AI use. The integration of artificial intelligence into education is promoted as an important component of the package, with emphasis on student certification. In the context that 63.8% of young Europeans (aged 16-24) used generative AI in 2025, 40% of 15-year-old Romanian students report weekly use of an AI chatbot for learning. ^[7]

The European Strategy for Education and Vocational Training aims to modernize vocational education and prepare graduates for fields with a need for skilled personnel. ^[7]

The European Teachers' Agenda aims to improve working conditions and reduce administrative burdens, in a context where 25 out of 27 Member States face a shortage of teaching staff. The Teacher Academies 2.0 program will support teachers at the beginning of their careers and involve teachers in developing digital solutions to reduce bureaucracy. European teacher mobility will be facilitated by removing bureaucratic obstacles from portability procedures. ^[7]

Only 9.1% of Romanian vocational education graduates benefited from practice, compared to the European average of 66%. The Commission intends to test a European sectoral training accelerator from 2027 to rapidly adapt programs to employer needs. ^[7]

Update

EU aims to reduce the share of students with poor results to below 15% by 2030

EU Member States have pledged to reduce the share of 15-year-old students with poor results in reading, mathematics, and science to below 15% by 2030. The initiative comes in the context where approximately one third of European 15-year-old students and about half of Romanian students do not reach the minimum proficiency level in reading and mathematics, data confirmed by PISA 2022 results. Executive Vice President of the European Commission, Roxana Mînzatu, presented the European Education and Skills Package on Thursday, November 5, in Brussels. Among the proposed measures are the realization of European School Alliances, partnerships through which schools and school authorities from multiple countries will benefit from grants to develop efficient and tested methods for improving basic skills. ^[8]

Each School Alliance will choose at least one of the five basic skills: reading and writing, mathematics, sciences, digital and civic skills. Schools will compare results and share methods that help students, including those from disadvantaged backgrounds. The goal is to create up to 100 new Alliances each year, starting in 2028. EU objectives for basic skills by 2030 also aim to reduce the share of Grade 8 students with poor results in IT competencies and information literacy to below 15%. Member States also target increasing the share of 15-year-old students with top performances in reading, mathematics, and science to at least 12%, as well as increasing the share of those from socio-economically disadvantaged backgrounds with good results in at least one subject to 25%. The European Commission urges Member States to make these objectives a national priority, determine how to fulfill them, and ensure monitoring through the European Semester. ^[8]

European School Alliances are long-term cross-border partnerships between schools and school authorities, focused on improving performance in at least one basic skill through practical cooperation and measurable results. They aim to help schools identify urgent challenges, implement improvement plans, and widely disseminate effective practices. The Erasmus+ program is already preparing for the launch of European school alliances, offering dedicated support to schools and school authorities in 2027. It is expected that school authorities will be involved from the beginning, so that successful approaches can be transferred to other schools. ^[8]

The new EU Network for Counseling and Support Services will bring together agencies and bodies from Member States, with the mission to help schools improve through practical, evidence-based support. It will focus on four areas: school leadership and management, socio-emotional well-being, artificial intelligence – digital preparedness, and parent and community engagement. The network will connect national and regional services to pool expertise at the EU level, to contribute to providing personalized guidance and to strengthen the capacity of regional and local support systems. National services usually include government agencies, inspectorates, or specialized knowledge and resource centers. The network will be launched in 2027, connecting national support services and starting preparation at the regional level. The first 30 regional services will be funded through the Erasmus+ program starting in 2028. ^[8]

Beyond the classroom, basic skills are influenced by student well-being, mental health, online safety, and the support they receive at home and in the broader community. Recent PISA study results show a decline in family involvement in students' learning process. Obstacles such as disinterest, cyberbullying, and limited parental involvement cannot be addressed solely by schools. The network will help educational service providers and school leaders bridge this gap, building partnerships with parents, businesses, universities, social and health services, and the broader community. ^[8]

The European Support and Counseling Network could become operational in the first quarter of 2027, with pilot projects funded by Erasmus+ in 30 regions. Through these projects, teachers and principals will be able to request guidance on student emotional support, collaboration with parents, and the use of artificial intelligence in the classroom. ^[8]

In Romania, four schools in Buzău and Vâlcea counties participate in the pilot phase of European School Alliances, funded with 20 million euros through Erasmus+. ^[8]

The European Commission calls on Member States to strengthen system-level conditions so that disadvantaged children benefit from equal access to quality education, adequate support, and significant opportunities for participation and engagement. It is necessary to eliminate physical, systemic, or pedagogical barriers, improve basic skills in the classroom through early identification of learning difficulties, and create inclusive learning environments, to prevent falling behind or exclusion of children. Investments must be prioritized in disadvantaged schools, including in rural and isolated regions, as well as in disadvantaged urban areas. National authorities must ensure resource sharing and cooperation between schools, providing incentives for teachers to take positions in isolated or disadvantaged schools. ^[8]

Through European School Alliances and the EU Network for Counseling and Support Services, schools and disadvantaged students will have access to increased support and opportunities, both inside and outside the classroom, strengthening children's motivation and well-being. One third of European 15-year-old students do not reach the minimum proficiency level in reading, and a similar proportion is recorded in mathematics. In Romania, approximately 52% of 15-year-old students do not reach the minimum level in mathematics, and 48% in reading. Executive Vice President Roxana Mînzatu emphasized that 'every young European must be able to grow up in a future where change is the core subject'. ^[8]

The package's priorities for Education and Skills are: strengthening basic skills (reading, mathematics, and sciences), developing a European digital infrastructure for schools and the safe use of artificial intelligence, improving teachers' working conditions and training, and modernizing vocational and technical education. ^[8]

Eurostat shows that 63.8% of young people aged 16-24 in the EU used generative artificial intelligence in 2025. In Romania, 40% of 15-year-old students say they use an AI chatbot to learn at least once a week. ^[8]

The European Commission proposes testing an AI skills certificate for 15-year-old students, starting with the 2027-2028 school year. Students will learn to check answers generated by AI, understand its limits, and use it responsibly. ^[8]

Through the Consortium for a European Digital Infrastructure in Education (EDU-EDIC), Member States will build a common digital base for education. They will test cutting-edge technologies, verify how educational platforms can exchange information, and establish clear methods for protecting students' data. The AI skills certificate will teach students to recognize manipulation and decide when to work without artificial intelligence. Validated tools from EDU-EDIC will be implemented within European School Alliances for the development of basic skills. ^[8]

In 2027, the Commission will also propose a 'European Commitment for Healthy Screen Use'. Schools and families will be able to agree on rules regarding time spent in front of screens, online safety, and the balance between digital and non-digital activities. ^[8]

In the context where 25 out of 27 Member States face a shortage of teaching staff and only one in five teachers in the EU believes their voice is heard, the package includes solutions to provide better working conditions for teachers. At the national level, Romania has lost almost 5,000 teachers in a single year, a decrease superimposed on the growth of 20,000 students (the first reported since 2020), the reduction in hourly pay rates, and the increase from 18 to 20 hours per week in the teaching norm. ^[8]

The European Teachers' Agenda aims to improve working conditions and attract/retain good teachers by stimulating investments in education. The Agenda targets digital transformation through AI technologies, involving teachers in the development of responsible AI use for learning and digital tools that reduce bureaucracy. Dialogue is a fundamental value, which is why the Agenda stipulates that twice a year, social partners and teacher representatives will participate in high-level group meetings for Education and Training, to identify priorities and concrete measures. ^[8]

Teacher Academies 2.0, funded by Erasmus+, will be consolidated and redirected in 2027. These will offer initial and continuous training for novice teachers and school principals, focusing on the use of digital technologies and child-centered artificial intelligence, teaching in diverse classes, managing complex environments, collaborative leadership, democracy, and resilience. European teacher mobility will be facilitated by granting facilities by national administrations and by eliminating bureaucracy from portability procedures through the 'Competence Portability Act', proposed by Roxana Mînzatu back in September. ^[8]

The European Strategy for Education and Vocational Training aims to involve small businesses in apprenticeship programs along with educational organizations. The objectives are to improve the quality and agility of vocational education, mobilize its potential for strategic sectors, and establish a more open professional education system. ^[8]

In 2025, only 9.1% of recent medium-level vocational education graduates in Romania (aged between 20 and 34) had done at least one month of training at a workplace, compared to the EU average of 66%. The Commission will test from 2027 a European sectoral training accelerator, which will allow short-course providers to quickly respond to employer needs. An example of sectoral training could be preparing a future auto mechanic to use the latest computerized diagnostic technologies, sensors, and electronics, needed in modern workshops. ^[8]

In the EU, only Member States decide on the school curriculum and have exclusive competence over the financing of the education system and the organization of schools. In 2024, public administrations in the EU invested 860 billion euros in education, equivalent to 4.8% of the Union's GDP and 9.7% of public spending. Approximately 150 billion euros are already allocated for financing education through Erasmus+ and the European Social Fund Plus for the 2021-2027 period. ^[8]

Update

European Commission announces massive package for education: new objectives, school alliances, and AI certification

On Thursday, November 5, the European Commission launched the 'European Education and Skills Package', a complex initiative aimed at combating functional illiteracy and integrating artificial intelligence into the education system. The initiative is based on alarming data: in Romania, almost half of 15-year-old students (48%) do not reach the minimum proficiency level in reading, while this figure reaches 52% in mathematics. The situation is serious at the EU level, where approximately one third of 15-year-old adolescents face similar difficulties in reading and math. Executive Vice President of the European Commission, Roxana Mînzatu, detailed measures aimed at supporting teachers as well as the safe use of artificial intelligence in schools. The 'Education and Skills Package' is part of the 'Competence Union' Initiative and contains EU Council recommendations, initiatives to create a Consortium for European Digital Infrastructure in Education (EDU-EDIC), and the European Strategy for Education and Vocational Training. ^[9]

The package pursues three main objectives: strengthening basic skills (reading, mathematics, sciences, digital, and civic), improving working conditions for teachers, and modernizing vocational and technical education. To achieve these targets, the annual establishment of up to 100 European School Alliances is proposed, cross-border partnerships between schools and educational authorities. Each alliance can benefit from a grant of one million euros for the development of tested solutions in five priority areas: reading and writing, mathematics, sciences, digital, and civic skills. The European Strategy for Education and Vocational Training will support, through its action, the involvement of small businesses in apprenticeship programs along with educational organizations. The Commission will test from 2027 a European sectoral training accelerator, which will allow short-course providers to quickly respond to employer needs, adapting to rapid changes, such as digitalization in the automotive sector. ^[9]

Among the proposed measures is the 'European Teachers' Agenda', aimed at improving working conditions and reducing administrative tasks, to allow teachers more time for interaction with students. This step is essential in the context where 25 out of 27 Member States face a shortage of teaching staff. Romania has lost almost 5,000 teachers in a single year, a decrease superimposed on the first increase in the number of students since 2020 (with approximately 20,000). This situation is aggravated by the reduction in hourly rates and the extension of the teaching norm from 18 to 20 hours per week. Solutions include the consolidation of 'Academies for Teachers 2.0' (funded by Erasmus+) and the introduction of the 'Competence Portability Act' to facilitate mobility. In the European Union, approximately one third of 15-year-old students do not reach the baseline level in reading, and a similar proportion is recorded in mathematics. In science, one in four students falls below this threshold. In Romania, the latest PISA tests show that 52% of 15-year-old students do not reach the minimum proficiency level in mathematics, while the percentage reaches 48% in reading. With a strong emphasis on the future of work, Roxana Mînzatu highlighted that 'every young European must be able to grow up in a future where the core subject will be change'. Proposed solutions include: creation of European School Alliances, testing of an AI skills certificate for 15-year-old students starting with the 2027–2028 school year, creation of the EU Network for Counseling and Support Services (operational in the first quarter of 2027), and the European Teachers' Agenda. These initiatives are meant to address the teacher deficit and prepare students for the labor market. The package comes in the context of a severe shortage of teaching staff in the EU, where 25 out of 27 Member States face such a problem. Only 1 in 5 teachers in the Union believes their voice is heard and that they can influence educational policies, highlighting the need to improve working conditions and involve teachers in educational decisions. At the national level, Romania has lost almost 5,000 teachers in a single year. This decrease is superimposed on the first increase in the number of students since 2020 (with approximately 20,000). The gap is aggravated by the reduction in hourly rates and the extension of the norm from 18 to 20 hours per week. Eurostat data shows massive penetration of generative artificial intelligence among young Europeans: 63.8% of young people aged 16–24 in the EU used such technologies in 2025. In Romania, the situation is similar: 40% of 15-year-old students claim to use an AI chatbot to learn at least once a week. In 2025, only 9.1% of recent medium-level vocational education graduates in Romania, aged between 20 and 34, had done at least one month of training at a workplace during their studies. This is a significant gap compared to the EU average, which was 66%. Objectives of the European Strategy for Education and Vocational Training include improving the quality and agility of vocational education, mobilizing its potential for strategic sectors, and establishing a more open professional education system. The measure to test a European sectoral training accelerator will allow training providers to introduce short specialization courses when employers need new skills, to respond quickly to changes in the industry. An example of sectoral training could be preparing a future auto mechanic to use the latest computerized diagnostic technologies, sensors, and electronics, needed in modern workshops. In the European Union, exclusive competence over the financing of the education system, organization of schools, and decision on the school curriculum remains at the national level, at Member States. Total investment by EU public administrations in education was 860 billion euros in 2024, equivalent to 4.8% of the EU's GDP and 9.7% of public spending. According to its duties, the Union supports cooperation and finances common projects. Approximately 150 billion euros are already invested for financing education and skills through European programs in the 2021–2027 financial exercise, including Erasmus+ and the European Social Fund Plus. ^[9]

Update

European Commission presents complex package for education: from School Alliances to AI certification

The European Commission proposes a package of measures to improve student results, reduce the teacher deficit, and prepare schools for the use of artificial intelligence. ^[10]

The European Education and Skills Package was presented on Thursday by the Executive Vice President of the European Commission, Roxana Mînzatu. ^[10]

At present, approximately one third of European 15-year-old students do not reach the minimum proficiency level in reading and mathematics. In Romania, the situation is worse: 52% of 15-year-old students do not reach the minimum level in mathematics, and 48% in reading. ^[10]

Establishment of European School Alliances with grants of one million euros. Schools and school authorities from multiple Member States will be able to collaborate to improve at least one of the five basic skills: reading and writing, mathematics, sciences, digital and civic skills. They will compare results and test teaching methods that work, including for students from disadvantaged backgrounds. The objective is to create up to 100 new alliances each year, starting in 2028. In Romania, four schools in Buzău and Vâlcea are already participating in the pilot phase. ^[10]

Proposal for an AI skills certificate for 15-year-old students. The Commission proposes testing it starting with the 2027-2028 school year. Students will learn to check answers generated by AI, recognize manipulation, understand technology limits, and decide when it is better to work without the help of a chatbot. ^[10]

Creation of a European digital infrastructure for education. Through the EDU-EDIC Consortium, Member States will be able to jointly test technologies and educational platforms, so that they can exchange information. The initiative also aims to establish clear rules for protecting students' data. ^[10]

Proposal for rules for healthy screen use. In 2027, the Commission will propose a European Commitment for Healthy Screen Use. Schools and families will be able to agree on rules regarding time spent online, internet safety, and the balance between digital and non-screen activities. ^[10]

Measures for less bureaucracy and better conditions for teachers. Through the European Teachers' Agenda, the Commission asks Member States to create more attractive working conditions, reduce administrative tasks, and provide teachers with more time for interaction with students. Improved professional training, support for novice teachers, and attraction and retention of teaching staff in the system are targeted. ^[10]

Consolidation of the Teacher Academies 2.0 program. The program funded by Erasmus+ will be redirected in 2027. It will offer training for teachers at the beginning of their careers and school directors, including for the use of artificial intelligence, teaching in diverse classes, and managing difficult classroom situations. ^[10]

Creation of a European network for counseling and support for schools. Teachers and principals will be able to receive guidance on managing students' emotional problems, collaborating with parents, school leadership, and the use of artificial intelligence. The network will connect national and regional services, with the first pilot projects funded by Erasmus+. ^[10]

Additional support for disadvantaged students. The Commission urges Member States to identify learning difficulties earlier, offer individualized support, and remove barriers preventing access to quality education. Special attention is paid to schools in rural areas, isolated regions, and disadvantaged urban zones. Incentives are also encouraged for teachers who accept to work in such schools. ^[10]

Modernization of vocational and technical education. The European strategy aims for a closer link between schools and employers, including involving small businesses in apprenticeship programs. The Commission will test, starting next year, a European sectoral training accelerator, through which short specialization courses can be organized when employers need new skills. ^[10]

Facilitating teacher mobility in Europe. The Commission proposes removing bureaucratic obstacles from recognition and portability procedures, to encourage teachers to teach also in disadvantaged regions. ^[10]

Romania is among countries with the biggest problems in basic skills. ^[10]

Romania has lost almost 5,000 teachers in a single year, while the number of students has increased by approximately 20,000. ^[10]

In vocational education, only 9.1% of recent graduates aged between 20 and 34 have done at least one month of workplace training during their studies, compared to the European average of 66%. ^[10]

Update

European Commission proposes measures to combat functional illiteracy and integrate AI into education

The European Commission has set out to modernize education in Europe, focusing on the safe and efficient use of artificial intelligence in the learning process. The initiative is addressed directly to member countries, including Romania, and aims to integrate digital technologies within a secure framework. PISA 2025 data reveals a significant gap in basic skills: approximately one third of European adolescents (33.9%) register poor results in mathematics, while 25.9% face similar difficulties in science. The situation in reading remains equally concerning, with 31.3% of students below the minimum threshold. The European strategy proposes a series of investments and structural reforms aimed at raising school performance. Measures include granting greater autonomy to educational institutions and strengthening support mechanisms for teachers, with the goal of adapting the education system to contemporary challenges. Official PISA 2025 results, presented by the Commission, indicate that 31.3% of European 15-year-old students do not reach the minimum level in reading, 33.9% in mathematics, and 25.9% in science. These figures form the basis of Brussels' action plan. Brussels proposes a series of investments and reforms aimed at improving elevated results in schools, including measures targeting the increase in autonomy of educational institutions and strengthening support for teaching staff. Online safety and responsible use of artificial intelligence constitute main pillars in the new educational vision of the European Commission. The European Executive intends to develop special tools so that students learn to use artificial intelligence in a responsible and critical manner. The program for testing a European AI skills certificate for students is scheduled for the 2027-2028 school year, accompanied by common assessment criteria adapted specifically to the target age group. Alongside the AI initiative, the European Executive is preparing a proposal on healthy screen use, which will offer practical recommendations for schools, parents, and students, focusing on online safety and the necessary balance between digital and offline activities. On November 3, a European consortium dedicated to developing digital infrastructure for education was constituted, which will also include artificial intelligence tools considered safe and compliant with EU standards. An important component of the European package is the increase in attractiveness of the teaching profession, to address the staffing crisis. The Commission proposes improving working conditions, continuous professional development, and better training of teachers for the use of new technologies. The European Teacher Academies 2.0 program will be relaunched from 2027, giving special attention to initial training for teachers at the beginning of their careers and the development of leadership competencies in educational units. Cross-border collaboration in education will be financially supported, through the Erasmus+ program, starting in 2027, through partnerships between schools from different Member States for mutual improvement of student results. New European initiatives can be beneficial for Romania, with schools and vocational training institutions having access to international partnerships, advanced digital tools, and teacher training programs. Modernization of vocational education is another objective, through introducing flexible curricula, developed together with employers, and facilitating training internships in other European states. The first pilot programs for modernizing vocational education are scheduled for 2027, and from 2028, the development of new training centers in direct partnership with the business environment is anticipated. The package does not automatically impose new obligations on Romanian schools; the two proposed recommendations must be examined by the EU Council, and the application of measures depends on subsequent decisions and the voluntary participation of Member States. The European Commission will discuss implementation details of the initiatives at the European summit for education and skills, scheduled for November 20, 2026. ^[11]

Update

European Commission introduces AI literacy certificate for 15-year-old students, from 2027

The European Commission intends to introduce, starting with the 2027-2028 school year, an 'artificial intelligence literacy' certificate, intended for 15-year-old students; the initiative aims to help young people understand how this technology works, verify the information it generates, and recognize potential manipulations. Brussels is working on developing the program, which should be tested through a pilot project; the certificate will attest to students' competencies in using artificial intelligence in an informed and responsible manner. ^[12]

'This will help young students understand how artificial intelligence works, verify what it tells them, identify manipulations, and know when to disconnect,' declared Roxana Mînzatu, Vice President of the European Commission. The initiative arises amid concerns about the level of basic skills of European students, according to the latest PISA data mentioned by the European Commission; approximately one in three 15-year-old young people in the European Union registers results below the expected level in reading and mathematics. Although educational policies remain the responsibility of Member States, the European Union supports efforts to safely integrate artificial intelligence into the teaching process; European officials consider that a better understanding of how the technology works and associated risks can improve both students' and teachers' learning capacity. Parallelly, Brussels promotes legislative measures aimed at limiting adolescents' access to social networks; thus, Mînzatu argued that this initiative does not contradict the introduction of the certificate, because the use of artificial intelligence in education has different objectives than those pursued by social platforms. 'AI has the potential to truly amplify certain educational processes: tutoring, personalized learning,' affirmed the Vice President of the European Commission, emphasizing that these uses have no relation to the algorithms of platforms designed to create dependency. ^[12]

Update

Roxana Mînzatu launches European Package for Education and Skills with the objective of 100 School Alliances

European Commissioner Roxana Mînzatu announced the launch of the European Package for Education and Skills, structured around four priorities. Within the first initiatives, every child must understand what they read, and the proposal foresees the establishment of 100 European School Alliances annually, including in disadvantaged areas. Four schools from Buzău and Vâlcea counties are already participating in the pilot phase, funded with 20 million euros through the Erasmus+ program. Mînzatu also highlighted that in the last school year, the number of teachers in Romania decreased by over 4,700, while the number of students began to grow, justifying the proposal for more attractive working conditions and less bureaucracy. ^[13]