Irish pupils' reading skills are the best in the EU, a top international education survey has concluded.
The PISA rankings are carried out by the OECD every three years and sees students in 81 countries take tests in reading, maths and science.
Of the 81 participating countries, Ireland’s reading results were the best in the EU but came second only to Singapore globally.
Major international study shows Irish students are the best performers in reading literacy in the OECD and the EU.
For more 👉https://t.co/tEdLoVUJEf#PISAIRL #OECDPISA pic.twitter.com/Chlg3NVUzd— Department of Education (@Education_Ire) December 5, 2023
Education Minister Norma Foley said the results of the survey were a useful benchmark.
“It’s always important that we get the opportunity to compare ourselves internationally and I think it’s quite significant,” she said.
Maths and science
Ireland’s results for science and maths were deemed ‘above average’.
Of the 81 countries, Ireland placed 12th place in science and 11th in maths.
The study also noted the number of ‘high achieving’ students in these subjects was average or below average.
Minister Foley said it was something her Department is working on.
“For students who are very high performers, there’s a body of work underway at the minute to see what additional supports we can provide for them,” she said.
“Our objective always is to support students to achieve to the maximum of our ability.”
Over 5,500 15-year-old pupils participated in PISA 2022, across 170 schools.
Main image: A school.
