An Action Plan to fight the gap on basic skills across EU

European Commission Executive Vice-President for Social Rights and Skills, Quality Jobs and Preparedness Roxana Mînzatu introduced the Action Plan on Basic Skills, a key initiative under the Union of Skills aimed at addressing the growing gap in fundamental competencies across the EU. Strong basic skills are essential for economic competitiveness, innovation, and social cohesion. However, a significant portion of students and adults across Member States struggle with literacy, numeracy, and digital literacy, impacting their career prospects and overall societal participation.

The Action Plan comes in response to declining educational outcomes in core subjects, as highlighted by recent reports from Draghi and Letta. These reports emphasize the need to enhance skills development across all stages of education, particularly in light of Europe’s shrinking labor force. Addressing these deficiencies requires urgent and coordinated action, as gaps in basic competencies hinder both individual success and broader economic progress.

The plan identifies key areas that require immediate attention. Literacy development must consider the evolving role of media while fostering engagement with complex texts. Mathematical skills, including financial literacy, should be reinforced through problem-solving and critical thinking approaches to encourage uptake in STEM-related studies and careers. Science skills, fundamental for innovation and a successful green transition, should be taught with a focus on interdisciplinarity and real-world application. Moreover, digital skills are increasingly vital, necessitating greater emphasis on cybersecurity awareness, artificial intelligence, and big data. Additionally, citizenship skills must be strengthened to promote informed participation in democratic processes, particularly in an era of rapid technological change and widespread misinformation.

Several challenges contribute to the current skills gap. Socio-economic background continues to play a major role in educational inequality, disproportionately affecting disadvantaged students, including those with migrant backgrounds or disabilities. Many EU countries also face a shortage of teachers, with the profession struggling to attract new talent. Parental involvement has declined, despite its proven impact on student engagement and success. The pervasiveness of digital distractions further hampers student performance, and gender stereotypes continue to influence career choices and subject preferences. Meanwhile, vocational education and training (VET) institutions frequently lack resources, and many adults remain outside the reach of skills development programs.

To address these issues, the European Commission has outlined three primary areas of intervention. First, it aims to boost basic skills teaching and learning by launching European School Alliances through the Erasmus+ program, developing early childhood education guidelines, and piloting AI-based personalized learning. The Commission will also update the Digital Competence Framework and enhance VET curricula to integrate core competencies effectively.

Second, the Action Plan prioritizes support for educators, including the introduction of an EU Teachers and Trainers Agenda to improve working conditions and professional development. The expansion of Erasmus+ Teacher Academies and online educator communities will further facilitate the sharing of best practices and innovative teaching methods. Additionally, mentoring systems for early career teachers and job shadowing opportunities for education policymakers will be implemented.

Finally, the plan seeks to create supportive learning environments by engaging parents, families, and communities in the educational process. Initiatives such as the European Solidarity Corps will mobilize volunteers for mentorship programs, while the EU Literacy Coalition will work to encourage reading habits among young people. Member States will also participate in peer-learning activities aimed at developing innovative community learning spaces.

A key element of the plan is the piloting of a Basic Skills Support Scheme, designed to provide early intervention and personalized support for students facing learning difficulties. This initiative will include targeted assessments, additional learning time, specialist roles such as school mediators, and parental support programs. The Commission is encouraging Member States to participate in the pilot phase, using available EU funding to implement tailored national strategies.

The implementation of the Action Plan will be integrated into the broader Union of Skills strategy, drawing on funding from multiple EU programs, including the Recovery and Resilience Facility, Erasmus+, InvestEU, and Horizon Europe. By fostering collaboration among Member States and stakeholders, the plan aims to strengthen coordination and drive meaningful progress in basic skills development across Europe.