PISA results must be used wisely, says teaching union

3 November 2019

In response to the publication of the results of the Program for International Student Assessment (PISA) by the OECD today, UCAC education union has called for all concerned to make wise use of the data.

Dilwyn Roberts-Young, UCAC General Secretary said “This year’s PISA results provide a wealth of information about various aspects of our education system. The headlines are comparatively encouraging – and everyone concerned is to be congratulated on that. However, we must be careful to go beyond the headlines.

“It appears that some of the reforms that have already been implemented are beginning to pay off. But we must remember that the major reforms to the curriculum, assessment arrangements and accountability systems have yet to be put in action. We now need to concentrate on implementing those reforms in an effective way over the coming years if they are to help us on our journey towards improving education for all in Wales.

“The report draws attention to concerns about pupils’ wellbeing – with higher than average levels being reported of feeling miserable or worried. Also, schools in Wales were more likely to report that insufficiencies of physical resources – especially textbooks and ICT equipment – were hampering their efforts.

“UCAC strongly believes that we need to keep to the reform route that we have set, whilst ensuring sufficient levels of funding, resources and time for teachers. Alongside those reforms, we need to continue and expand our efforts to support the wellbeing of everyone within our school communities.”

Notes

• UCAC is Wales’s own education union. It represents teachers, headteachers and lecturers in all education sectors across Wales

For further information please contact:

• Rebecca Williams: 07787 572180 This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.