Estonian teenagers claim the lead in European rankings for academic knowledge as per PISA results
In a notable development, the 2022 PISA education survey underscores Estonia's leading position in Europe and among the world's top eight countries in terms of knowledge and skills. The survey, conducted by the Paris-based Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), assessed 15-year-old school students' scholastic performance across mathematics, science, and reading.
Estonia shares the first position in mathematics with Switzerland, while surpassing Ireland in the same domain. Tied with Ireland for the first spot in science and reading, Estonia also ranks among the leading Asian nations. Notably, Singapore and other East Asian education systems outshine the global pack in mathematical proficiency.
Estonian Education Minister Kristina Kallas attributes the country's success to a widespread achievement of basic skills in mathematics, implying equal attention to all students in classrooms. She underscores the high professional skills of Estonian teachers as the key to the nation's outstanding results.
Remarkably, Estonia ranks first in countries for children's growth mindset – the belief in the ability to develop through effort. Additionally, Estonian students exhibit higher feelings of safety at school than the OECD average, with classroom safety levels matching the OECD norm.
Despite the celebration of Estonia's educational triumphs, the government acknowledges critical challenges. These include a growing shortage of qualified teachers and the influence of socio-economic background on the quality of education, which has increased to 13.4% – nearing the OECD average of 15.5%.
In terms of educational autonomy, Estonia leads the pack. Teachers in the country enjoy a remarkable degree of freedom to shape the curriculum and participate in school management decisions.
The 2022 PISA test involved 690,000 students from 81 countries, with Estonia contributing 6,392 students from 196 schools. The focus this time was on mathematics.
Relatedly, the OECD survey reveals the positive impact of moderate digital device usage in schools on students' academic performance. However, the technology's efficacy depends on its support of learning rather than serving as a distraction.
While not directly discussed in the survey, Estonia’s success can be attributed to a combination of factors – early childhood education, professional and respected teachers, curricular adaptability, technological integration, and a push for national language uniformity in schools. The last factor remains a controversial subject, with critics raising concerns about the impacts on minority groups and access to education.
- The leading position of Estonia in Europe and among the top eight countries worldwide in terms of knowledge and skills, as highlighted by the 2022 PISA education survey, can be partly attributed to its emphasis on online education and learning.
- Estonia's success in mathematics and science, as evidenced by the PISA survey, is also rooted in its education-and-self-development system that cultivates a growth mindset among children from an early age.
- In line with Estonia's focus on leveraging technology for educational advancement, the OECD survey reveals the positive impact of moderate digital device usage on students' academic performance, provided it supports learning rather than serving as a distraction.
- As a nation striving for educational excellence, Estonia exemplifies the integration of technology with traditional education, where teachers are encouraged to shape the curriculum and incorporate technology in a manner that facilitates the learning process effectively.
