Spain’s PISA record low: Madrid moves to turn it round

Spain’s 15-year-olds have recorded their worst-ever PISA results in reading, maths and science. The OECD published its 2025 assessment on Tuesday, and the government in Madrid says it is working to turn the results around through joint programmes. Government spokeswoman and Migration Minister Elma Saiz said the outcome was not one the government accepted.

PISA measures how 15-year-old pupils perform in reading, mathematics and science. The 2025 group studied under LOMLOE, Spain’s education law approved by Pedro Sánchez’s government at the end of 2020.

Government rejects simple blame for education law

Saiz said scores had fallen across all three subjects internationally as well. She argued that it would therefore be too simple to blame LOMLOE alone for Spain’s results.

She said progress depended on cooperation between different levels of government. Madrid is using programmes aimed at improving reading comprehension and maths as part of that approach.

Aragón funding row puts focus on spending

Saiz pointed to Aragón as an example of money not being used. In 2024, the region had €3 million available for reading and maths programmes but spent none of it, she said.

Aragón had €9.2 million available in 2025 and used €3 million, according to Saiz. For 2026, it has €6 million available and has spent €2 million.

The minister also criticised regions governed by the Partido Popular, saying some demand more funding while failing to use all the education money already made available to them.

Topics: Politics

Source: Europa Press / Mallorca.com