UK teenagers falling behind

UK teenagers are falling behind much of the rest of the world in reading, maths and science.

The latest report from the Programme for International Student Assessment (PISA) found there has been ‘no change’ in the quality of the ‘core’ subjects despite above average investment in these subjects.

Singapore, Estonia and Poland are among countries which have made rapid improvements to their performances in the same period.

The UK was in 26th place for maths, 23rd for reading and 21st for science, sustaining broadly average scores in each.

The Secretary of State for Education, Michael Gove said: “Since the 1990s our performance in these league tables has been at best, stagnant, at worst declining.

“For all the well-intentioned efforts of past governments we are still falling further behind the best-performing school systems in the world.

“In Shanghai and Singapore, South Korea and Hong Kong - indeed even in Taiwan and Vietnam - children are learning more and performing better with every year that passes - leaving our children behind in the global race.”

Mr Gove continued that the key to improving the test scores is to continue the overhaul of the current education system including calling for a more rigorous academic structure.

He continued: “In successful Asian nations all students are introduced to more stretching mathematical content at an earlier age than has been the case here.

“Our new national curriculum is explicitly more demanding - especially in mathematics - it’s modelled on the approach of high-performing Asian nations such as Singapore.

“The mathematical content is matched by a new level of ambition in technology - with the introduction of programming and coding on the national curriculum for the first time.”

However Gove’s shadow opposite, Tristram Hunt has claimed that the government’s reforms will damage rather than improve the national positon.

Hunt, Labour’s Shadow Education Secretary, said: “David Cameron’s schools policy is failing to confront the international challenge we face.

“The PISA report is a big wake-up call. Eastern dominance centres on the importance that these high performing education systems place on the quality and status of the teaching profession as the central lever for driving up standards.

“This report exposes the failings of this Government’s schools policy: a policy that has sent unqualified teachers into the classroom and prevented effective collaboration between schools.

“Because David Cameron has failed to deliver a reform agenda that will raise the quality of teaching and learning in all of our schools, he is charting a course that will make our international standing worse, not better.”

Teachers unions have also criticised Gove’s reforms claiming that the reason for vast improvements in Asian nations is due to good working conditions for teachers.

Christine Blower, General Secretary of the National Union of Teachers, the largest teachers’ union, said: “The snapshot provided by the PISA results clearly shows that countries which are performing well, pay teachers well, respect the profession and encourage collaboration between teachers and schools.

“Andreas Schleicher makes the point that there are more motivating factors for teachers than money, such as professional respect: this is the exact opposite of the direction Michael Gove is taking education in England.

“Performance Related Pay and the fragmentation of the education system make it increasing difficult to encourage collaboration between teachers and schools. Government needs to stop their attacks on teachers’ pay and pensions and return schools to local democratically elected local authorities with a responsibility for the range of essential support and services including school provision, admissions and school improvement."