Latest news with #PISA
CTV News
a day ago
- General
- CTV News
Is Canada losing its education edge? Here's what experts say
Research shows Canadian students are scoring lower than before on international evaluations of education. (Pexels/SHVETS production) Canada's education quality has been facing a slow decline over the past few years, research has shown. The latest mathematics scores from Canadian students on an International Association for the Evaluation of Educational Achievement (IEA) test from last year show the country ranking 32nd out of 64 countries that were part of the well-known international standard test conducted every four years. The test is conducted at the Grade 4 and Grade 8 levels in six benchmarking systems, in which 65 education systems participated — 59 education systems and six benchmarking systems participated in Grade 4 assessments, and 44 education systems and three benchmarking systems participated in Grade 8. Furthermore, despite Canada continuing to rank among the top ten countries in the 2022 Programme for International Student Assessment (PISA) survey — a programme that assesses the knowledge and skills of 15-year-olds in mathematics, reading and science — the country's national trends have consistently declined since the early 2000s, experts say. Around 690,000 students took part in the PISA survey in 2022, from 81 participating countries. More than 23,000 Canadian students from 867 schools participated in mathematics, reading or science tests. However, East Asian countries like Singapore, South Korea, China and Japan ranked at the very top in both tests. Canada has three major issues that need troubleshooting, John Richards, an expert on social policy and education and an author, told 'One is that we have declined in all three subjects relative to the benchmark that was organized in the beginning,' Richards said. 'Second point is the four big provinces — Que., Ont., B.C. and Alta. — their performance has been better. They have declined more slowly than the six small provinces, which have declined more quickly.' And the third is mathematics, he said. 'Which is where our biggest decline has been.' 'Summer learning loss' The solution for it may be rooted in how Canadian provinces are organizing the school year to maximize learning opportunities for students. A year-round school schedule is starting to catch the attention of provinces and educational institutions in Canada, with some electing to adopt this new form of school year so students can benefit from it. A commentary by the Fraser Institute from 2023 that supported the idea of provinces allowing schools to schedule their own school years noted that experts had coined a term for the learning loss that can occur during an extended summer break — 'summer learning loss.' Research says it's more beneficial for a child to have a year-round school system, rather than a long break over multiple months, Todd Cunningham, a clinical and school psychologist and an associate professor at the University of Toronto's Ontario Institute for Studies in Education (OISE), told However, children can retain information and perform well even after a long break from school if they have adequate opportunities to learn at home and an environment that supports their skill development, Cunningham said. 'Those who have the means and the opportunities will continue to develop their skills, and those who don't have the means, opportunities or abilities to do it — they're not going to continue to develop their literacy skills, numeracy skills,' he said. 'With that, when you come back in September and you kind of measure those two groups, there's going to be a difference between where they're at.' School curriculums can sometimes be influenced by political factors rather than best practices in education, according to Cunningham. 'We're trying to help shift the understanding and knowledge base that teachers have to be more in line with what the evidence (shows) are the best practices for literacy and numeracy, and I feel that that's a key thing that we should be doing across Canada,' he said. According to Cunningham, teachers are facing a different set of challenges in the classroom, and there needs to be more investment in the training and upgrading of their knowledge and skills, along with additional support. Richards believes institutions like schools are composed of multiple elements, such as teachers' unions and provincial budgets. He notes that while better teaching practices can help, broader change won't come from a single solution. 'I don't think there's one silver bullet that will make Canada go back to where it was at the beginning of the century,' he said.
See - Sada Elbalad
4 days ago
- Politics
- See - Sada Elbalad
ICESCO, Malaysia Discuss Partnership for Inclusive, Sustainable Education
Mohamed Mandour As part of his participation in the annual ASEAN Education Ministers Meeting, Dr. Salim M. AlMalik, Director-General of the Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO), held a bilateral meeting with Dr. Fadhlina Sidek, Malaysia's Minister of Education. The meeting focused on exploring ways to enhance cooperation between the two sides in the fields of education, innovation, and heritage preservation. Her Excellency the Minister presented key initiatives of the Malaysian Ministry of Education, which have made the country's education system a comprehensive model for achieving the fourth Sustainable Development Goal (SDG 4). She noted that education in Malaysia is guided by a holistic vision that values quality, equity, and sustainability. For his part, Dr. AlMalik commended Malaysia's educational experience and stressed the importance of strengthening international partnerships to achieve inclusive education for all. He also highlighted ICESCO's initiatives in this regard, including its ongoing cooperation with the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) in support of the international PISA assessments. Dr. AlMalik invited Dr. Sidek to participate in the third Ministerial Conference on PISA, which will be organized by ICESCO in Samarkand in November 2025, and is considered an important platform for exchanging expertise and encouraging educational policy reform in Member States. The meeting also touched on the Greening Education initiative, launched by ICESCO in collaboration with the University of Cambridge, which aims to develop long-term strategic visions in the field of education. Dr. AlMalik also underscored the importance of integrating values of peace into school curricula and embedding them into the educational policies of Member States. The two sides also discussed the issue of girls' education in Afghanistan. Dr. AlMalik stressed the need for Member States to stand in solidarity and support ICESCO's efforts to ensure Afghan girls' right to education, affirming that this is a humanitarian and moral obligation that requires concrete cooperation from all. read more Gold prices rise, 21 Karat at EGP 3685 NATO's Role in Israeli-Palestinian Conflict US Expresses 'Strong Opposition' to New Turkish Military Operation in Syria Shoukry Meets Director-General of FAO Lavrov: confrontation bet. nuclear powers must be avoided News Iran Summons French Ambassador over Foreign Minister Remarks News Aboul Gheit Condemns Israeli Escalation in West Bank News Greek PM: Athens Plays Key Role in Improving Energy Security in Region News One Person Injured in Explosion at Ukrainian Embassy in Madrid News China Launches Largest Ever Aircraft Carrier Sports Former Al Zamalek Player Ibrahim Shika Passes away after Long Battle with Cancer Lifestyle Get to Know 2025 Eid Al Adha Prayer Times in Egypt Business Fear & Greed Index Plummets to Lowest Level Ever Recorded amid Global Trade War Arts & Culture Zahi Hawass: Claims of Columns Beneath the Pyramid of Khafre Are Lies News Flights suspended at Port Sudan Airport after Drone Attacks Videos & Features Video: Trending Lifestyle TikToker Valeria Márquez Shot Dead during Live Stream News Shell Unveils Cost-Cutting, LNG Growth Plan Technology 50-Year Soviet Spacecraft 'Kosmos 482' Crashes into Indian Ocean News 3 Killed in Shooting Attack in Thailand
Korea Herald
15-06-2025
- Science
- Korea Herald
Curious minds, better grades: Study finds curiosity linked to academic success among teens
While many factors a correlated with a student's grade, curiosity — not grit or self-control — emerged as the factor with the biggest link to academic success among 15-year-old students in South Korea, according to a new analysis of the Programme for International Student Assessment (PISA) data. The Korea Education Development Institute revealed the findings in its spring 2025 issue, drawing from the 2022 PISA assessment, which surveyed approximately 5,600 Korean students. PISA, run every three years by the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development, evaluates how well 15-year-old students worldwide have acquired the knowledge and skills needed to participate in society. Alongside cognitive subjects like science, mathematics, reading and creative thinking, the 2022 edition also assessed social-emotional competencies such as curiosity, perseverance, emotional control and stress resistance. Korean students in the higher achievement groups scored significantly higher in curiosity than those in lower groups across all subjects. Perseverance also showed consistent correlation, with high scorers outperforming their peers in every subject. Emotional control revealed was not linked to test scores, except in science and math. Interestingly, in stress resistance, lower-achieving students often scored higher than their higher-performing peers in subjects excluding science and math. When comparing Korean students' social-emotional competencies to the OECD average, emotional control stood out as Korea's strongest suit. Korean students scored 0.18 on average in controlling their feelings, outperforming the OECD average of –0.01 by 0.19 points. Korean students also slightly exceeded the OECD average in curiosity and stress resistance, though they fell slightly behind in perseverance. "Students with high social-emotional skills are better equipped to manage stress, maintain healthy interpersonal relationships, and navigate collaborative environments," Lee Ju-yeon, the KEDI researcher, said. "These competencies are essential not only for academic achievement but also for a successful and fulfilling life." The results added the importance of integrating social-emotional learning into educational policy and classroom practices while pointing out how students' ability to self-direct learning is crucial in digital education, as emotional regulation is directly connected to confidence in learning.
India Today
10-06-2025
- Health
- India Today
Why Maths feels so hard? Science has the answer
Ravi still remembers that day in fifth grade. The teacher handed back the math test, and there it was, a big red circle around his answer, marked wrong. His classmates giggled, and the teacher sighed, "You just don't get it, do you?"From that moment on, Ravi decided: math is not for later, he still freezes up when he has to calculate a tip or help his daughter with her homework. Sound familiar? If you've ever felt your stomach turn at the sight of a math problem, you're not alone."The moment I see numbers in a word problem, my brain just shuts down," says Sneha, a Class 10 student in Delhi. "Even if I know the method, I panic and mess it up."advertisementIT'S NOT JUST YOU, IT'S YOUR BRAIN Believe it or not, the fear of math is real- and it's got a name: math anxiety. Researchers at the University of Chicago found that people with math anxiety experience activity in the same part of the brain that processes physical pain, just by thinking about doing Stanford University study using MRI scans showed that math-anxious children had hyperactive fear centers (amygdala) and underactive reasoning centers (prefrontal cortex). This means their brain goes into a state of panic."I used to think my students were just lazy or not trying hard enough," admits Mr. Ghosh, a middle school math teacher in Kolkata. "But once I learned about math anxiety, I realised they're not lazy-they're scared."BUT WHERE DOES THIS FEAR BEGIN?1. Bad early experiencesMany people trace their fear back to school-timed tests, confusing instructions, or being humiliated for mistakes."I was once told to stand outside the class because I couldn't recite the 7 times table," recalls Ramesh, now 32."That memory still haunts me."advertisement2. The "I'm not a math person" mythA global education survey (PISA 2012) found that students who believed "math talent is something you're born with" performed significantly worse than those who believed effort matters."Everyone around me said things like 'our family isn't good at math'-so I just accepted it," says Priya, a college student from Bengaluru."It was like a family curse."3. Teacher troubleA study from the University of Chicago revealed that female teachers with math anxiety often pass it on to their female students, leading to lower performance and confidence."As a teacher, I try to hide my own fear of numbers. But kids pick up on it," says Mrs. Saini, a primary school teacher in Jaipur. "Now I work on my own confidence first, so I can help build theirs."WHAT DOES THE DATA SAY? Why It Matters?Math fear doesn't just affect report cards-it shapes lives."I avoided engineering even though I loved physics-just because I was scared of calculus," says Amrit, now studying literature. It affects career paths, job readiness, and basic confidence in managing money, bills, or taxes. Over time, math anxiety can snowball into missed opportunities and lifelong NEWS: YOU CAN BEAT ITStart small: Use real-life math-like cooking, shopping, or your mindset: Mistakes are not failure-they're part of tools: Apps, games, and online tutors can help build support: A patient teacher or mentor can help rebuild used to cry during math class. Now I help my younger brother with his homework," says Kavya, a student who overcame math anxiety with the help of a supportive isn't a monster hiding under the bed. It's a skill-one that anyone can build with time, patience, and the right support. So the next time numbers make you nervous, remember: it's not you, it's your wiring-and science says you can rewire it.
RTÉ News
09-06-2025
- Politics
- RTÉ News
Behind the Story: Estonia's different approach to AI in education
One of the emerging concerns in education in recent times has been AI, particularly when it comes to assignment work and plagiarism. Spotting it is becoming increasingly difficult, according to many academics, while in secondary schools in Ireland, there are anecdotal reports from teachers about its misuse. As this technology develops, it will only get more difficult for those whose job it is to spot it in assignments. Last weekend, the Association of Secondary Teachers in Ireland voted to reject proposals aimed at reforming the Leaving Cert. The main concern for the majority of ASTI members was a lack of resources and capacity, according to General Secretary Kieran Christie. But another area of concern was project work and practicals that will be worth a minimum of 40% of a student's grade. The fear is that students could use AI for such projects, and it's not clear how that can be addressed. The Department of Education is finalising guidelines on the use of artificial intelligence in schools. It says this guidance will focus on AI in teaching and learning, and will come in addition to the Examinations Commission's advice on the technology when it comes to the Leaving and Junior Certificate. Ultimately, decisions on how it may or may not be used in Irish schools will come down to the Boards of Management at each one. But while Ireland grapples with how to police AI in the classroom, another EU nation is embracing it – and it's one of the continent's top performing places when it comes to learning. According to the Organisation for Economic Co-operation's (OECD) PISA tests, which examine education outcomes in 79 countries, Estonian students are top in Europe in math and science. They are also second in the EU when it comes to reading, only behind Ireland. From September, the country will roll out licences for artificial intelligence platforms to students aged 16 and 17, as well as teachers. The technology will be integrated into the learning process for all subjects, including physical education. Speaking to RTÉ's Behind the Story podcast, the country's education minister Krisinta Kallas said that AI is here to stay and that the country wants to harness it rather than discourage it. "We are worried that if we don't do anything, and if we don't do more supervised learning with AI, there will be a lot of unsupervised learning with AI anyway and that would be at the detriment of the skills and competences of the children." Ms Kallas said that it will be up to the teachers to determine how exactly it will be used. "I think the crucial thing with AI is not so much of regulating its use, because I don't think you can 100% regulate it, but it is rather making teachers competent in how AI operates, how AI impacts learning, and how it can be used to enhance the learning. "So the training of the teachers is absolutely key. You should not put all your trust in technology, you should put all your trust on teachers." The children will use tablets in school, but can use their AI accounts on their own private devices at home too. It is hoped that by giving it to all students and schools, there will be equality in its use in education with no socio-economic gaps. There has been no public pushback on the plan according to Ms Kallas. "It might be because our education has been relatively digitalised for a very long time. "We introduced the first digital tools into our education system 25 years ago, so there is a whole parents' generation who has grown up by using digital technology in schools so it hasn't really been an issue. "So the debate is mostly about how to use AI and what kind of learning it should enhance, and what would happen if we don't use it because maybe there is much more fear of missing out on learning skills if we don't do a nationally - organised programme on AI introduction. "If we just allow to go in a natural way as it is today, then students are using it for replacing their own learning rather than learning with an AI and that's a much bigger risk than trying to introduce AI in a more supervised and controlled way with teachers." "In that reality we need to redesign the whole learning process – what kind of assignments we give to students and what kind of learning we want to happen, and how the AI will be used by the students to enhance this learning." Mobile phones Unlike other countries in Europe, Estonia supports the use of mobile phones in schools. But Ms Kallas said teachers ultimately take autonomy in decisions when it comes to them. "We believe in a bottom-up approach when we allow schools to make those regulations," she said. "Mobile phones are used in class for learning purposes quite a lot in Estonia. "And also mobile phones in Estonia are used for all other things that you do in life. "The child needs to get the bus schedule to get home, needs to contact their parents, needs to figure out how to get to the sports club after school. "We do voting and other activities as citizens through our mobile phones. "It would be confusing for the younger generation that on one side we want them to vote online and use their phones to do their civic duty and on the other side we ban them from the school. "What we need to do is make them learn how to use the mobile phone for the right purposes."
