Despite some gains, Filipino learners continue to lag behind in mathematics and reading comprehension, as shown in the results of the 2022 Programme for International Student Assessment (PISA).
The Programme for International Student Assessment (PISA) is a worldwide study on reading comprehension conducted by the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD). It involves approximately 600,000 students aged 15 around the globe. The Philippines became a participant in the study in 2018.
PISA evaluates student literacy across three domains: reading, mathematics, and science.
In the 2022 PISA, the Philippines demonstrated progress by scoring 355 points in math tests, a slight improvement from the 2018 score of 353. Additionally, the country achieved a score of 347 in reading tests, marking a seven-point increase from the 2018 score of 340.
However, there was a marginal decline in Filipino learners’ scores in Science tests, as the scores decreased from the previous result of 357 to 356.
Despite the improvements in individual subject scores, the overall outcome positioned the Philippines as the sixth lowest among the 81 countries and economies involved in the study.
Philippines ranks 6th lowest among 81 countries in Math, Science, reading
The test scores were assessed as falling below the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) average of 487 points.
PISA 2022 marked the eighth round of the assessment since its inception in 2000. Each iteration of the PISA test evaluates students’ knowledge and skills in mathematics, science, and reading, with a specific focus on one of these subjects while providing a summary assessment of the other two. In the case of the 2022 assessment, the primary focus was on mathematics.
Meanwhile, Vice President and Education Secretary Sara Duterte expressed lamentation on Wednesday over the Philippines’ unsatisfactory performance in the 2022 PISA results. She emphasized the need for a collaborative effort to address this issue.
“The PISA results may bear uncomfortable truth. It has shown that a significant majority of our boys and girls fall below the proficiency level required for full participation in society and contributing to nation-building,” she said.
According to Alex Sucalit Jr., the Department of Education’s (DepEd) senior education program specialist and PISA focal person, the recent PISA results suggest that the Philippines may be approximately five to six years behind when compared to other countries with higher scores.
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