‘International report shows Irish schools performing strongly, but declining reading and maths scores must be tackled’ – ASTI President
The OECD 2025 PISA* study, published today, finds Ireland’s second-level students performing significantly above EU and world averages in science, maths and reading.
The OECD PISA study assesses science, maths and reading competencies in 15-year-olds across the world and ranks countries in terms of mean student scores in each domain. The study is undertaken every three years with a rotating deeper focus on one domain. The 2025 study focuses on science and finds that Ireland is a strong performer, ranking third out of 27 EU countries and 15th out of 91 OECD countries.
Ireland ranks first in the EU for reading and seventh in the world. In maths, Ireland is fourth in the EU and 14th in the world.
Emerging learning issues across the globe
The report sounds an alarm for many OECD countries which have seen declining PISA outcomes for students in science, maths and reading over the past number of years. PISA 2025 reports the lowest OECD-average performance ever by students across these three domains. While Ireland is a strong performer in PISA 2025, it has also experienced declining mean scores in all three domains.
Ireland’s mean reading score has declined since the last PISA report in 2022. Notably, the extent of the decline experienced by Ireland is more significant than the average decline across OECD countries.
PISA 2025 reports a similar decline pattern for maths in Ireland, while the mean science score has declined to a lesser extent and the decline is close to the OECD average.
ASTI has significant concerns
Commenting on the report, ASTI President Richie Bell said:
“Ireland remains a strong performer internationally. However, the ASTI has significant concerns about declining standards, in reading and maths in particular. While Ireland is one of seven countries worldwide highlighted in PISA 2025 for both strong performance and equity for students, we have concerns about the lack of progress on outcomes for disadvantaged students as well as declining mean performances for all students.”
Digital distractions impacting learning
PISA 2025 finds that moderate use of digital devices for learning is associated with better science performance, while non-education use of devices in school and digital distractions are associated with poorer outcomes. Across the OECD, 28% of students say classmates are distracted by digital devices in most or every science lesson.
The report also finds that Ireland is among the systems where digital distraction is associated with lower science performance.
Warning sign for Ireland
“Today’s report has to be read as a warning sign for the Government,” said ASTI President Richie Bell. “Among the issues which must be addressed are investment in our education system, class size, teacher shortages, the problems associated with the new Junior Cycle curriculum, and the need for a clear and coherent digital strategy for education.”
ENDS
*Programme for International Student Assessment
