EUROPEAN EDUCATIONAL AND NEW PERSPECTIVES FOR TEACHERS’ SKILLS

Abstract

This paper explores the evolving landscape of 21st-century skills required for teachers, with a focus on aligning these requirements with current European educational policies. It underscores the critical role of teacher professional development in addressing the challenges posed by a rapidly changing society and in fostering essential competencies among students. The introduction contextualizes the urgency highlighted by the OECD PIAAC survey (2013), which revealed that Italian adults exhibit significantly lower skill levels compared to their counterparts in other high-competency countries. The discussion on "21st Century Skills" examines the shift from traditional knowledge-based education to a more integrated approach that combines fundamental skills, transversal competencies, and character qualities. This section also aligns with the European Skills Agenda (2020), which emphasizes the need for continuous learning, digital inclusion, and the integration of cross-disciplinary skills into curricula. An in-depth analysis of the OECD PIAAC results from the first cycle illustrates the concerning state of literacy and numeracy skills among the Italian adult population, highlighting the percentage of low-skilled learners, including those with higher educational qualifications. This analysis is extended with data from the second cycle (OECD 2021), which confirms persistent deficits in basic skills, especially in literacy and numeracy, indicating a continued need for targeted policy interventions. The paper concludes by emphasizing the importance of teacher professionalization and the integration of European educational policies into teacher training practices. It advocates for continuous monitoring of PIAAC data and the implementation of effective measures to address adult skill gaps. Future perspectives include fostering innovative teaching methods, international collaboration, and a focus on inclusive education to enhance teaching quality and student outcomes in alignment with 21st-century demands.