Every student in Europe should have the chance to master the basic skills that open doors to learning, new opportunities, and a confident future. Literacy, mathematics, science, digital skills and citizenship are more than school subjects – they are the foundations of lifelong learning, employability, civic participation and personal growth. However, recent international assessments reveal an increasing number of students in Europe who complete compulsory education without reaching the expected levels of basic skills. This is a serious concern for equity, educational quality, and Europe’s capacity to meet future challenges.  

In response to this, the European Commission has placed basic skills at the heart of its broader education and skills agenda. This Eurydice report analyses how 37 education systems across Europe are tackling underachievement in literacy, mathematics and science at primary and lower secondary levels.  It focuses on policies adopted or implemented since the 2020/2021 school year.  

Across seven chapters, the report shows how countries are shaping an ecosystem of policy measures: adopting strategic frameworks, revising curricula, reorganising instruction, improving assessment, reinforcing learning support, strengthening support for teachers and inclusive practices, and engaging parents more closely in their children’s learning. At the centre of this ecosystem are teachers, supported through professional development, inclusive pedagogical resources and the recruitment of specialised staff. 

Taken together, these policy measures demonstrate a shared ambition across Europe: to ensure that no learner is left behind, and that every young person can build the strong foundations they need to thrive in school and in life.