PISA Tests Expose an Educational Setback in Colombia

The 2025 Programme for International Student Assessment (PISA) tests in Colombia have revealed a concerning decline in educational standards, particularly in math and reading. The results indicate that Colombia lags behind the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) averages, with a particularly alarming figure showing that 71% of 15-year-old students failed to reach the basic proficiency level in mathematics.

This means that seven out of every ten students assessed were unable to demonstrate the minimum mathematical skills necessary to navigate situations requiring mathematical knowledge application. Colombia scored 381 points in mathematics, eight points above the Latin American average but 82 points below the OECD average. Despite a slight improvement in science scores from 411 to 414 points, the overall picture is mixed, with a more pronounced decline in reading skills, dropping from 409 to 399 points since 2022.

The OECD notes that the decline in Colombia's performance is part of a broader trend of deteriorating results in mathematics and reading across numerous countries since the sharp decline in 2022. However, this case highlights the urgent need for action in Colombia. Despite an expansion of access to secondary education, bringing in previously marginalized populations, a significant number of 15-year-olds still lack basic mathematical proficiency.

This trend calls for focused efforts by Colombia's education authorities to ensure that students acquire essential skills and leave school prepared to navigate an increasingly demanding society.