Speaking about the publication of the Wales’s results from the OECD’s Programme for International Student Assessments (PISA), Nicola Fitzpatrick, Wales Secretary for the National Education Union Cymru, said:
“Our members know that the results released today represent just one narrow measure and that they should not be seen or used as a definitive benchmark for education quality across Wales. It is disappointing that the OECD chose to release the data they have collected in two volumes. Thinking about the whole child, not just their test scores, is critical here. We know that wellbeing, social and emotional development, and environmental factors directly impact learning and academic attainment.
“If genuine comparisons are to be made with other countries who sit consistently at the top of the PISA tables, then we must take a serious look at all the reasons why.
“Since Covid, NEU Cymru have argued that the data for Wales reflects what our members already know and sadly that remains the salient point today- schools are struggling and rather than obsess over league table positions, politicians must address the crisis of underfunding; they must tackle unsustainable workload levels and take serious action to address the recruitment and retention of teachers in all parts of Wales.”