**PISA Results Confirm Need for Reform of Education System in Cyprus**
The performance of Cypriot students in the latest Programme for International Student Assessment (PISA) study has shown stability in certain subjects while highlighting areas in need of improvement, according to Education Minister Athena Michaelidou. The results were presented on Tuesday, revealing a mixed picture of student performance across various disciplines.
Minister Michaelidou noted that while the performance of Cypriot students remained stable in natural sciences and reading comprehension, there was a decline in mathematics scores, a trend mirrored across all participating countries. This decline aligns with a broader observation by the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), which reported an overall decrease in performance among students in all European Union countries compared to the previous study conducted in 2022.
"The general trend highlights that internationally there is a need to adapt education systems to the new skills required by the modern era," Michaelidou stated, emphasizing the necessity for significant reforms within Cyprus's education system. She pointed out that the PISA results underscore the importance of ongoing educational reforms being implemented in the country.
One encouraging finding from the study was the increase in the percentage of resilient students in Cyprus. These students, who come from lower socioeconomic backgrounds, demonstrated improved performance on higher scales of the assessment. Furthermore, the study indicated a reduction in the performance gap associated with socioeconomic status across all subjects in Cyprus. Notably, the impact of socioeconomic background on student performance in Cyprus was found to be less pronounced than in other EU nations.
Michaelidou expressed optimism regarding the direction of educational reforms in Cyprus. "These findings allow us to be optimistic about the emphases and direction we give to education, horizontally strengthening opportunities for all children and aiming for a more inclusive school, limiting the influence of social inequalities," she remarked.
The minister described the PISA results as an "important tool" for enhancing the education system, reiterating the government's commitment to improving public education. She highlighted that the results guide the government's priorities, which focus on ensuring quality education for all children.
While acknowledging the need for improvements as indicated by the PISA data, Michaelidou also defended the government's reform strategies. "We do not expect only international research to monitor progress," she stated. The Ministry of Education has been collaborating closely with OECD experts to develop a "comprehensive and targeted" action plan aimed at achieving optimal learning outcomes for students.
This collaboration, according to Michaelidou, is designed to ensure that the interventions implemented will lead to substantial results, transforming challenges into measurable progress for children and public schools in Cyprus.
As the education system continues to evolve in response to these findings, the government remains focused on addressing the identified challenges while building on the positive aspects highlighted in the PISA results. The commitment to reform aims not only to improve academic performance but also to foster an inclusive educational environment that supports all students, regardless of their socioeconomic background.
The full PISA study results can be accessed through the OECD's official channels, providing further insights into the performance and challenges faced by students in Cyprus and beyond.