Cyprus addresses poor performance in PISA international assessment

Following the release of PISA results on September 8, 2026, concerns have intensified regarding the educational standards of 15-year-old students in Cyprus. Data indicates that 53% of students lack basic mathematics skills, 62% struggle with reading comprehension, and the country ranks last in science. Chrysanthis Savvidis emphasized that these figures, which show nearly 55% of students underperforming in science compared to an EU average of 26%, mirror persistent issues observed in local Pan-Cyprian examinations.

In response, the Ministry of Education is implementing a strategic action plan extending to 2029. Giorgos Koutsidis, Deputy Director of Secondary Education, stated that while PISA may not capture the full scope of school performance, the results necessitate urgent policy reflection. The Ministry is currently studying educational practices from high-performing nations, including Estonia, Ireland, Lithuania, and Poland, to better prepare students for international assessments and improve general curriculum outcomes. Ongoing efforts focus on familiarizing students with testing procedures and enhancing remedial support to address these academic gaps.