Basic skills are key to pupils' learning and essential for life, for work and to be an active citizen. They underpin other skills, such as creativity and critical thinking, are crucial for innovation and help safeguard our democracies, including through developing media literacy.

However, basic skills levels are declining across the EU, and too many pupils are underachieving. For example, a third of 15-year-olds in the EU struggle to understand and apply mathematics in real-life situations, more than 40% of young people lack basic digital skills, and there is a decline in eighth graders’ civic knowledge in several EU countries.

What the action plan propose?

The Basic Skills Action Plan sets out concrete short- to medium-term steps for the EU and Member States to improve basic reading, mathematics, science, digital and citizenship skills and to promote excellence, from early years through all stages of school education and adult learning. 

In particular it proposes: 

• Piloting a Basic Skills Support Scheme to reduce underachievement across the EU by addressing basic skills deficiencies earlier and faster
• Boosting the teaching of basic skills in schools through sharing of best practice, making training and support more effective and making the teaching profession more attractive 
• Providing extra support to teachers
• Enabling supportive environments and harnessing the possibilities of digital education.

Union of skills

The basic skills action plan is part of theUnion of Skills strategy - a wider package of measures proposed by the European Commission to support the development of the EU's human capital and strengthen EU competitiveness. Other actions include:

• A STEM Education Strategic Plan to improve skills in science, technology, engineering and maths (STEM), promote STEM careers and attract more girls and women.  
• A Teachers and Trainers agenda (due in 2026), which will look at ways to address teaching shortages, improve working conditions and enhance career prospects. 

Find out more about the Basic skills and STEM action plan to support education and training