The European Commission’s new education package responds to declining literacy, mathematics performance and teacher shortages, raising questions about whether digital tools are improving learning.
The European Commission has unveiled a new education reform package aimed at reversing declining student achievement, addressing teacher shortages and improving how schools integrate artificial intelligence and digital technologies.
The November 5 Education and Skills Package introduces proposals covering foundational academic skills, educational technology, teacher development and vocational training.
The initiative follows evidence that a substantial proportion of European teenagers struggle with essential academic competencies despite increasing access to digital learning resources.
The development raises a consequential question for educational technology companies: whether more sophisticated software actually helps students develop the knowledge and judgment they need.
One in Three European Students Falls Behind
According to The Brussels Times, the latest PISA 2025 findings show that 33.9% of European Union students aged 15 underachieved in mathematics, while 31.3% fell below the basic proficiency threshold in reading.
Another 25.9% underachieved in science.
The findings also revealed that fewer than one in ten students reached top-performing levels in the three assessed subjects.
An earlier European Commission analysis identified digital distraction, uncritical AI use, declining parental engagement and teacher shortages as factors associated with weaker results.
These findings do not establish that educational technology caused the decline.
Digital Skills Remain Unevenly Distributed
The challenges extend beyond traditional classroom performance.
According to Eurostat’s 2026 digitalization report, approximately 40% of EU residents lacked at least basic digital skills in 2025, despite 93% using the internet weekly.
The figures demonstrate that regularly using technology does not necessarily mean possessing the competencies required to evaluate information, solve problems or navigate digital services independently.
The Commission’s new package proposes improved educational cooperation, digital learning infrastructure and teacher training.
It also plans to pilot an AI literacy certificate beginning in the 2027–2028 school year.
Teachers Remain Central to Technology Adoption
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen emphasized that improving students’ capabilities requires well-trained educators alongside investments in technology.
The initiative proposes European School Alliances, additional teacher development opportunities and a network supporting educational institutions.
However, teacher organizations argue that recruitment alone cannot resolve workforce shortages.
In a November 5 analysis, Education International reported that OECD Director of Education and Skills Andreas Schleicher identified teacher retention, working conditions and unequal access to educational resources as persistent challenges.
Education International general secretary David Edwards likewise emphasized the importance of sustained investment in qualified teachers.
Their arguments highlight why technology cannot be evaluated independently of the educational environments in which students use it.
What This Means for Educational Technology Developers
The reform package introduces opportunities for companies building digital learning platforms, teacher-support tools and educational assessment systems.
However, developers face a more demanding performance standard than user engagement or software adoption.
Schools need evidence that technology improves reading, mathematics, critical thinking and independent learning.
That requires rigorous evaluations, age-appropriate design, teacher involvement and safeguards against distractions that undermine educational objectives.
For technology founders and policymakers, Europe’s initiative highlights an important distinction between providing digital tools and improving educational outcomes.
The next test for educational technology will be whether it strengthens students’ ability to think and learn—not simply increases the number of technologies available in classrooms.
