Rural education has long faced unique challenges; the most pressing being addressing the shortage of qualified teachers, connecting communities and integrating new technologies. Here we explore several examples of how rural schools are addressing these issues to provide quality education.

The Pelgulinna Highschool in Tallinn is helping its students to become self-directed and independent learners. This is possible thanks to cooperation among the school management and teachers across different subjects, who are supported through collective teacher development activities.

Alternative educational assessment methods focus on the individual needs and growth of each pupil rather than relying on standardised testing, measuring their level of proficiency as opposed to their level of knowledge.

The Elmer nursery in Brussels aims to promote well-being, diversity, social opportunities, and participation of families. Through their neighbourhood-centred services Elmer provides accessible and high-quality childcare, while promoting training and employment among disadvantaged groups.

While multilingualism has long been integral to European society, it is now becoming an increasingly important aspect of EU education systems. All pupils need teachers who are linguistically sensitive and responsive.

Gifted pupils have exceptional potential and specific educational demands that call for specialised care. In this article, we will explore initiatives that emphasise on child/youth-centred activities and teacher development across Europe.

Encouraging engagement, participation, and ownership is part of the whole-school approach to citizenship education implemented by Collège Matteo Ricci in Brussels.

A Hungarian primary school Bajza Utcai Általános Iskola, in Budapest, is actively implementing a green and sustainable approach and encouraging pupil participation.

School segregation is a phenomenon in which pupils who live in the same city are separated in different school communities based on their ethnicity, socio-economic status, disability or other characteristics. Cities, school systems and schools can enact policies that help combat this.

Immersive learning is an educational approach that integrates immersive technologies with traditional methods of education and focuses on the learning experience rather than right or wrong answers.