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European Education Area

Quality education and training for all

Digital Education Action Plan – Action 10

Council Recommendation on improving the provision of digital skills and competences in education and training

Technological progress has raised exponentially the need for digital skills and competences at all levels across the economy and society. However, only 54% of the EU population can perform basic digital tasks such as connecting to Wi-Fi or using websites.

The ambitious targets set as part of the Digital Compass 2030 and in the Council Resolution on a Strategic Framework for European Cooperation in Education and Training focus on the level of digital skills for different groups of citizens such as professionals, adults or young people.

These initiatives require education and training systems to reinforce efforts to provide digital skills and competences to as many pupils as possible from an earlier age.

Addressing common issues

EU countries face common issues related to the level of digital skills of their population and the ability of their education and training systems to support learners developing the digital competences they need to live, work and learn.

Improving the provision of digital skills

This Council Recommendation:

  • aims to empower Europeans to develop basic, intermediate and advanced digital skills through education and training.
  • articulates the steps needed to promote digital competence development from early on and at all stages of education and training. It includes using EU tools to invest in teacher professional development.
  • encourages the exchange of best practices on instructional methods, including a focus on high-quality informatics at all levels of education, and working with civil society and the industry to develop good practices and meet new and emerging skills needs.

Key activities

Expected results

  • propose pathways for a coherent provision of digital skills in education and training
  • create guidance on Informatics as a subject, including its principles, concepts and practices in teaching and learning
  • contribute to the objectives of the digital skills targets of the Digital Compass and the European Education Area by improving the level of digital skills of the European population, and the gender balance among students and learners that will consider a career in the ICT sector

Timeline

Funding

This action is funded by the Erasmus+ programme, European Social Fund Plus, Just Transition Fund, European Regional Development Fund, Digital Europe Programme, Horizon Europe.