European Commission publishes new Digital Education Guidelines; ETUCE contributes as member of expert group
On 5 March 2026, the European Commission officially launched four new sets of Digital Education Guidelines designed to support teachers and educators across Europe in navigating the fast‑changing digital landscape. The resources address four areas:
• ethical and responsible use of AI and data in education
• tackling disinformation and strengthening digital literacy
• making informed choices on digital education content
• teaching high‑quality informatics in European classrooms
These guidelines were developed within the framework of the Digital Education Action Plan (2021–2027), with ETUCE actively contributing to the expert groups responsible for the work. Through our participation, we ensured that the voice of teachers and their trade unions was represented, and that the guidelines reflect the practical needs, professional concerns and pedagogical realities of educators across Europe.
The guidelines offer practical tools, ready‑to‑use classroom examples and clear quality criteria. They aim to help teachers make informed decisions about technology and digital content, strengthen digital literacy, and approach AI in education with confidence and responsibility.
The launch is an important milestone for the teaching profession. While digital technologies continue to reshape education, teachers often face pressure to adapt without adequate support or clarity. These new resources help ensure that digitalisation in education is guided by pedagogical purpose, transparency and teachers’ professional autonomy.
“These new EU digital education guidelines arrive at a crucial moment for the teaching profession. Across Europe, education trade unions are calling for a strong Teachers Agenda that recognises teachers as professionals, trusted co‑creators of education systems, and key actors in strengthening democracy and equality. For digitalisation and AI to support quality education, they must reinforce teachers’ rights, professional autonomy and decent working conditions, not undermine them. The guidelines provide a useful starting point, but they must be accompanied by holistic teacher policies, sustained support, and continued teacher involvement through social dialogue at every level. At the 16th International Summit and the Teaching Profession in Estonia governments and teacher unions affirmed these principles. ETUCE is committed to ensuring that digital transformation in education remains a public good, shaped by educators and their unions, and firmly aligned with the values we defend.”
Jelmer Evers, ETUCE European Director
ETUCE will continue to engage with EU institutions to advocate for digital education policies that to ensure that technology in education serves high‑quality teaching and learning. and respect teachers’ rights, working conditions and professional judgement.
