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Pisa ranks Wales' education the worst in the UK Pisa ranks Wales' education the worst in the UK
(35 minutes later)
Wales has fallen behind the rest of the UK significantly in reading, maths and science for the third time, an international study has shown.Wales has fallen behind the rest of the UK significantly in reading, maths and science for the third time, an international study has shown.
The tests in science, maths, reading were taken by 500,000 15-year-olds in 65 countries. The tests in science, maths, reading were taken by 500,000 15 year olds in 65 countries.
In Wales, there was lower results on average in the three subjects than in England, Northern Ireland and Scotland. In Wales, there were lower results on average in the three subjects than in England, Northern Ireland and Scotland.
Scotland leads the way in the UK in maths and reading, while England is ahead in science.Scotland leads the way in the UK in maths and reading, while England is ahead in science.
The Welsh government had braced itself for a poor performance in the exams where half a million 15 year olds in around 70 countries were tested.
The figures, published by the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), show 15 year olds in Wales scored 468 points on average, compared with 498 in Scotland, 495 in England and 487 in Northern Ireland.The figures, published by the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), show 15 year olds in Wales scored 468 points on average, compared with 498 in Scotland, 495 in England and 487 in Northern Ireland.
In reading, Wales scored 480, but Scotland scored 506 points on average, England scored 500 and Northern Ireland 498.In reading, Wales scored 480, but Scotland scored 506 points on average, England scored 500 and Northern Ireland 498.
In science, Wales scored 491, compared with England's average score of 516, Scotland's 513, and 507 in Northern Ireland.In science, Wales scored 491, compared with England's average score of 516, Scotland's 513, and 507 in Northern Ireland.
In maths, Wales scored 468, compared with Scotland which scored 498, four higher than England with 494.In maths, Wales scored 468, compared with Scotland which scored 498, four higher than England with 494.
The OECD report concluded, for each of the three subjects, "performance in Wales was lower than the rest of the United Kingdom".The OECD report concluded, for each of the three subjects, "performance in Wales was lower than the rest of the United Kingdom".
It is the third time Pisa has conducted such tests.It is the third time Pisa has conducted such tests.
'No quick fixes' 'Alarming' results
In 2010, Wales' results were described as alarming by the then education minister Leighton Andrews.In 2010, Wales' results were described as alarming by the then education minister Leighton Andrews.
Wales had been ranked 40th for maths, 38th for reading and 30th for science out of 67 countries that took part and was again ranked lowest of the UK nations.Wales had been ranked 40th for maths, 38th for reading and 30th for science out of 67 countries that took part and was again ranked lowest of the UK nations.
In 2010, the nation had slipped from the previous results in 2007 which were below the Pisa average and were far behind the rest of the UK.In 2010, the nation had slipped from the previous results in 2007 which were below the Pisa average and were far behind the rest of the UK.
In maths, for example, pupils in Wales were behind the UK average by the equivalent of six months of school.In maths, for example, pupils in Wales were behind the UK average by the equivalent of six months of school.
Speaking about this year's results, Education Minister Huw Lewis said the results were disappointing and showed Wales had a long way to go.Speaking about this year's results, Education Minister Huw Lewis said the results were disappointing and showed Wales had a long way to go.
But he insisted the news reinforced the Welsh government's case for the ambitious reforms it has already developed.But he insisted the news reinforced the Welsh government's case for the ambitious reforms it has already developed.
"Everybody working in and around the Welsh education sector needs to take a long hard look in the mirror this week," he said."Everybody working in and around the Welsh education sector needs to take a long hard look in the mirror this week," he said.
"The Pisa results are stark and the message is very clear, we must improve educational attainment and standards right across the board.""The Pisa results are stark and the message is very clear, we must improve educational attainment and standards right across the board."
Mr Lewis said new reading and numeracy tests, secondary school banding, extra funding for new schools would take time to have a "significant impact" in Wales.Mr Lewis said new reading and numeracy tests, secondary school banding, extra funding for new schools would take time to have a "significant impact" in Wales.
'Wake-up call'
"There are no quick fixes," he said."There are no quick fixes," he said.
"I expect to see the impact of our reforms reflected in the next set of results. They're ambitious and I believe they will have a lasting, sustainable and positive effect on education in Wales.""I expect to see the impact of our reforms reflected in the next set of results. They're ambitious and I believe they will have a lasting, sustainable and positive effect on education in Wales."
Meanwhile, business lobby group, CBI Wales said the results were a wake up call. Angela Burns, Conservative shadow education minister, said: "These truly appalling figures show Wales' educational performance has at best stagnated, and at worst declined, and that in educational terms, Labour ministers have wasted the past three years."
Emma Watkins, CBI Wales director, said: "UK schools are treading water when we know that matching the very best could boost the growth rate by one percentage point every year. Welsh Liberal Democrats leader Kirsty Williams tweeted: "Really sad and angry that 14 years of Welsh Labour Education Policy has led us to these #PISA results."
"No issue matters more to the UK economy over the long term than the quality of our education system.
"It's not acceptable for Wales to have slipped so far behind, and this should be a wake-up call to those who care about the future of the Welsh education system."
Ms Watkins said greater focus should be given to maths and English.
Angela Burns, Conservative shadow education minister, said: "After the first minister promised improvements in Wales' Pisa rankings only weeks ago, Carwyn Jones' credibility now lies in tatters.
"These truly appalling figures show Wales' educational performance has at best stagnated, and at worst declined, and that in educational terms, Labour ministers have wasted the past three years.
"This is a terrible time to be a teenager in Wales and these results risk further demoralising Wales' teachers and students."
Plaid Cymru's education spokesman Simon Thomas said the results were not good enough.Plaid Cymru's education spokesman Simon Thomas said the results were not good enough.
"Wales cannot progress unless we get the basics right and that means meeting the challenge of improved numeracy, literacy and skills for all," he said."Wales cannot progress unless we get the basics right and that means meeting the challenge of improved numeracy, literacy and skills for all," he said.
Meanwhile, business lobby group, CBI Wales said the results were a wake up call.
Emma Watkins, CBI Wales director, said: "It's not acceptable for Wales to have slipped so far behind, and this should be a wake-up call to those who care about the future of the Welsh education system."
But Chris Keates, general secretary of teaching union the NASUWT, said Pisa was not the be all and end all.But Chris Keates, general secretary of teaching union the NASUWT, said Pisa was not the be all and end all.
"Pisa is not and must not be seen as the final word on education in Wales," he said."Pisa is not and must not be seen as the final word on education in Wales," he said.
"It is critical the Welsh government puts the Pisa 2012 study into proportion, uses it to guide and not drive education policy and takes forward its work in a way that reflects the genuine progress and achievements of the education system.""It is critical the Welsh government puts the Pisa 2012 study into proportion, uses it to guide and not drive education policy and takes forward its work in a way that reflects the genuine progress and achievements of the education system."