Story perspectives

Israel’s education ministry accused of PISA results manipulation mechanism

9/9/2026

Summary

Ministry Postpones

The Education Ministry postponed its official PISA summary, reportedly to present the findings more positively.
Guy Asif’s Ynet and Yedioth Ahronoth probe uncovered a ministry mechanism to sway PISA results.
Opposition MK Meirav Cohen called the PISA results a serious indictment of the education system.
Education Minister Yoav Kisch defended the scores, blaming wartime disruption and praising system resilience.

Summary

Australia Outperforms

Australia’s 15-year-old students outperformed the OECD average in science, reading, maths and digital learning.
Turkey’s pupils achieved the largest OECD gains in science, reading and maths in PISA 2025.
OECD averages hit record lows: reading 461, maths 463, science 482 points.
Moderate digital device use boosted science scores, while heavy use and distraction reduced them.
First Nations students in Australia lagged non-Indigenous peers by 72-76 points across domains.

Summary

Leaders Boost Literacy

Education Minister Hildegarde Naughton announced the Strengthening Agenda for Language and Basic Skills in Ireland.
AOb-Chair Coba van der Veer urged the Netherlands to invest more in qualified teachers to reverse reading declines.
Singapore’s Ministry of Education highlighted the ComLink+ programme expanding family coaches and volunteer befrienders for low-income students.
National Assembly Research Service director Lee Deok-nan urged urgent introduction of digital-literacy education in Korean schools.

History

Historical Context

Finland topped the inaugural 2000 PISA reading assessment, a result that prompted major education reforms. Subsequent cycles, such as the 2012 test of about 510,000 students, showed Finland slipping yet remaining Europe’s best, illustrating how rankings can shift. Today Israel, Australia and Ireland cite that history as they face political pressure to raise their own PISA scores.

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Ministry Postpones

The Education Ministry postponed its official PISA summary, reportedly to present the findings more positively.
Guy Asif’s Ynet and Yedioth Ahronoth probe uncovered a ministry mechanism to sway PISA results.
Opposition MK Meirav Cohen called the PISA results a serious indictment of the education system.
Education Minister Yoav Kisch defended the scores, blaming wartime disruption and praising system resilience.

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