PISA: Spain trails OECD in reading by half a school year

Spanish pupils are half a school year behind the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development average in reading, the PISA 2025 study shows. The Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development published the findings on Tuesday. Spain also recorded its lowest-ever PISA results in reading, maths and science.

The results have alarmed parent groups, schools and unions across Spain. Alfonso Aguiló, president of the Spanish Confederation of Education Centres, said weak reading comprehension reaches far beyond language lessons: a pupil who cannot understand a long text will struggle with a maths problem or a science question.

Calls to put reading back at the centre

Begoña Ladrón de Guevara, president of the parents' confederation COFAPA, called the trend “very negative” and said families were especially worried. She wants more reading and dictation in schools, greater family involvement and stronger recognition for teachers.

She also called for education policy agreed for the long term, rather than repeated changes of direction in legislation. The PISA 2025 study assesses pupils educated under the LOMLOE curriculum.

The Spanish Confederation of Parents' Associations, CEAPA, urged caution over any quick explanation. Its president, María Sánchez, said PISA measures particular skills at one point in time and cannot by itself pin the decline on a single cause, such as screens, pupils or families.

CEAPA wants more investment, smaller classes, fully staffed teaching teams, extra support and measures suited to different needs.

Pressure grows for changes in schools

The Catholic parents' confederation CONCAPA said the results showed that LOMLOE was not working. It called for more focus on language, maths and science, consistent external assessments and targeted help for pupils with learning difficulties.

The Association of Private and Independent Schools, CICAE, also pressed for stronger reading habits, describing reading as essential across subjects and for assessing information and developing critical thinking. It said successive education laws make it harder for schools to build projects and judge results over time.

Unions Comisiones Obreras and UGT demanded more teachers, resources and investment. STEs-I called for fewer screens, smaller classes, properly equipped school libraries and more unhurried reading. CSIF said the figures strengthened its case for urgent reforms ending in a national education pact.

Topics: Jobs & labour · Education · Politics

Source: Europa Press / Mallorca.com