07/12/2004
Literacy results highlight high NI teenage standards
The proficiency of Northern Ireland’s 15-year-olds in mathematical, reading and science literacy compares well with that of young people of the same age in other countries, a report claimed today.
Almost 3,000 pupils in Northern Ireland took part in the Programme for International Student Assessment (PISA) 2003, in a representative sample of 118 schools.
In maths, only six Organisation for Economic Co-Operation and Development (OECD) countries did significantly better than Northern Ireland, while in reading and science, only two did significantly better in either topic.
Commenting on the results, Education Minister Barry Gardiner said: “I am very pleased that the performance of our young people continues to be well above the international average, in all the areas assessed.
“The results broadly confirm those from the 2000 study, and Northern Ireland has maintained its overall position. However, the results also continue to show a wide spread in the performance of Northern Ireland pupils, and we need to continue our efforts to narrow that gap.”
The PISA is a collaborative study among the member countries of the OECD. PISA 2003 was carried out in 41 countries last year, and used standardised methodology to give internationally comparable results. The study will be repeated in 2006.
(MB)
Almost 3,000 pupils in Northern Ireland took part in the Programme for International Student Assessment (PISA) 2003, in a representative sample of 118 schools.
In maths, only six Organisation for Economic Co-Operation and Development (OECD) countries did significantly better than Northern Ireland, while in reading and science, only two did significantly better in either topic.
Commenting on the results, Education Minister Barry Gardiner said: “I am very pleased that the performance of our young people continues to be well above the international average, in all the areas assessed.
“The results broadly confirm those from the 2000 study, and Northern Ireland has maintained its overall position. However, the results also continue to show a wide spread in the performance of Northern Ireland pupils, and we need to continue our efforts to narrow that gap.”
The PISA is a collaborative study among the member countries of the OECD. PISA 2003 was carried out in 41 countries last year, and used standardised methodology to give internationally comparable results. The study will be repeated in 2006.
(MB)
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