Towards an ambitious EU Teachers Agenda

Building on its Manifesto for the Teaching Profession and its previous position on a European Teachers' and Trainers' Agenda, CESI welcomes the European Commission's initiative to pursue a new EU Teachers and Trainers Agenda and calls for an ambitious framework that delivers tangible improvements for teachers across Europe.

In particular, CESI calls for:

• measures to tackle structural teacher shortages by improving recruitment, retention and career attractiveness;
• better working conditions through reduced administrative burdens, healthier workplaces and stronger occupational safety;
• greater recognition of teachers' professional autonomy and stronger involvement of teacher representatives in education policymaking;
• a human-centred approach to digitalisation and artificial intelligence that supports teachers without replacing professional judgement or enabling algorithmic surveillance; and
• sustained investment in high-quality initial teacher education and continuous professional development throughout teachers' careers.

CESI also draws attention to the specific challenges facing early childhood education and care, vocational education and training, STEM and special needs education, as well as schools in disadvantaged, rural and remote areas, where targeted recruitment and retention measures are urgently needed.

CESI Secretary General Klaus Heeger said: "Europe's ambitions for competitiveness, resilience and social cohesion begin in the classroom. If we want to equip future generations with the skills they need, we must first ensure that teaching is an attractive, respected and well-supported profession. The new EU Teachers and Trainers Agenda must put teachers at its centre by investing in better working conditions, professional autonomy and meaningful social dialogue."

The full consultation contribution is available here.