New EU Education Package a step forward for teachers

The proposed 'Council Recommendation on an attractive teaching profession: the EU Teachers Agenda' is particularly important for CESI. Its focus on working conditions, professional recognition, career development and teacher education reflects several priorities raised previously by CESI. The emphasis on teachers and their representatives having a greater role in education policymaking is also welcome.

These priorities build on CESI’s September 2025 position on the teaching profession and its contributions to the social partner consultation and call for evidence on the Agenda.

For CESI, addressing shortages requires competitive remuneration comparable to other tertiary-educated professions, secure contracts, manageable workloads and credible career prospects. Recruitment measures must be accompanied by improvements that encourage teachers to remain in the profession, without lowering qualification standards.

Safe workplaces are equally necessary. CESI calls for stronger prevention of burnout and psychosocial risks, protection against violence and harassment, including online abuse, and adequate specialist and administrative support. High-quality initial education, mentoring and continuous professional development must be publicly funded and accessible during paid working time.

CESI Secretary General Klaus Heeger said: “The EU’s Education and Skills Package is a welcomed step forward, but we need stronger public investment in the teaching profession, genuine access to lifelong learning and meaningful trade union involvement.”

Stronger basic skills require adequately supported schools

The proposed 'Council Recommendation on reversing the decline in basic skills' addresses reading, mathematics, science, digital and citizenship skills. European School Alliances and a network of advisory and support services are intended to strengthen cooperation and help schools improve provision.

As CESI stressed in its advocacy priorities on the Education Package, basic-skills underachievement and teacher shortages must be addressed together. Schools need sufficient staff, preparation time and resources to put reforms into practice. Cooperation should support teachers’ professional judgement and avoid additional reporting burdens.

Investment must also tackle the link between socio-economic disadvantages and learning difficulties, including through early childhood education and care, targeted learning support and multidisciplinary teams. Education must retain its broader purpose of developing critical thinking, democratic citizenship and participation in society.

AI and digital infrastructure must support teachers

The overarching 'Communication of the European Commission on stronger education foundations for all in the age of AI' connects action on learning, teachers and digital transformation. It calls for support for AI literacy and trusted European digital infrastructure through a European Digital Infrastructure Consortium on Education.

CESI supports digital cooperation that improves access to learning resources, protects personal data and reduces administrative work. As set out in its consultation contributions, teachers must retain responsibility for pedagogical decisions and assessment. AI must support professional judgement, with safeguards against algorithmic management and intrusive surveillance.

VET reform must invest in teachers and trainers

A new 'Strategy for vocational education and training 2026–2030' completes the package, with measures including a European sectoral training accelerator, partnerships between VET providers and businesses, and support for cross-border learning mobility.

In line with its contribution to a previous VET Strategy consultation, CESI stresses that modernising VET requires qualified teachers and trainers, decent employment conditions and investment in workshops, equipment and digital infrastructure. Partnerships must involve trade unions and support quality apprenticeships, recognised qualifications and access to lifelong learning.

Across all four components of the package, CESI calls for sustained national and EU investment, measurable implementation objectives and regular monitoring with teacher trade unions. The proposed Council Recommendations remain subject to Council consideration and would be non-binding. Their value must ultimately be demonstrated through improvements in teachers’ working lives and schools’ capacity to provide quality education, while respecting Member States’ responsibilities for their education systems.

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