The Teachers’ Union of Ireland (TUI) has described the findings of the PISA 2012 Results in Focus as endorsement of the high quality work of Irish teachers and students despite the assessment being carried out at a time of hugely damaging cuts to education.
Irish students’ mean score in Mathematics is 501 which exceeds the OECD average of 494. Ireland’s score is higher than the UK, the US, France, Sweden, Denmark, Norway and New Zealand. The Irish score has risen from 487 in the previous assessment three years earlier.
Ireland also scored above average in reading and science. The score in science of 522 compares to an OECD average of 501 while score of 523 in reading compares to an OECD average of 496.
Speaking this morning, TUI General Secretary John MacGabhann said:
‘These findings endorse the very high levels of quality in the Irish education system in spite of deep and damaging cuts in teacher numbers and attacks on programmes that help the most vulnerable students. The scores represent significant achievements by students and teachers and are a tribute to their resilience at a time when the austerity agenda has sidelined the irrefutable, clear case for progressive and appropriate investment in education.
The findings in mathematics lend further credence to TUI’s view that the findings in the PISA 2009 indicators are open to serious doubt.
TUI fully endorses one of PISA’s key policy solutions which recommends that children from disadvantaged backgrounds should be targeted with additional resources or economic assistance. It is vital that the Government fully embrace this principle in order to give every student a fair chance.
The report also affirms that high performing countries pay teachers well.
These findings follow other recent positive international and national findings for Irish teachers and their schools. The OECD’s recent Government at a Glance 2013 report shows that out of 34 countries surveyed, Ireland enjoys the highest level of public satisfaction with the education system and schools - 82% compared to the OECD average of 66%. These findings are echoed by the recent Chief Inspector’s Report which shows that 87% of parents are happy with the teaching standards in second level schools. Such trust and confidence is the cornerstone of effective public education. Today’s findings further endorse the achievements of Irish students and teachers.’