Germany's Education Minister Karin Prien, a CDU member in Schleswig-Holstein, urges a shift in perspective for the nation. Amidst pending PISA results, she advocates for investing in education across all age groups, making Germany a social education state instead of a welfare state. This push for education includes early childhood education, school education, and continuous learning, in addition to research and innovation.
Prien declared this vision to the German Press Agency, emphasizing the need for a new self-image that prioritizes education in both federal and state budgets. The upcoming PISA presentation on Tuesday will serve as a benchmark for Germany's educational progress, evaluating the skills of 15-year-olds in reading, mathematics, and science since the pandemic.
Historically, Germany has faced criticism for lagging behind in digitization and attracting competent teaching staff. The "PISA shock" in 2000, which depicted dismal results, sparked a nationwide dialogue on education. Although Germany's PISA rankings improved by and large, a plateau in results since 2016 has rekindled these debates.
To gain a broader understanding of Germany's standing, we’ve chosen to incorporate relevant data from the 2022 PISA study. As international comparisons serve as essential benchmarks, it's crucial to examine how German students measure up alongside their peers.
PISA 2022: Germany's Performance and Improvements
Originally conducted in 2000, the PISA studies have since served as a barometer of global educational performance. Germany's 2022 report reveals a deficit in students' confidence when evaluating the quality of online data, with an alarming rate of uncertainty concerning digital information assessment.
The latest PISA results, however, do not provide specific numerical scores or rankings for core subjects like mathematics, reading, or science. The 2022 PISA data, published in December 2023 for math and reading, and June 2024 for creative thinking, will reveal in-depth information regarding Germany's performance.
Looking back on Germany's educational history, the "PISA shock" of 2000 initiated significant changes to education policy in Germany. Central institutions were established, and assessments aligned with international standards. These reforms ultimately served to elevate Germany's PISA scores above the OECD average by 2012.
The PISA 2018 assessment data indicates that Germany has gained ground, rising from 20th to 12th in mathematics and 12th in reading. This progress showcases Germany's continued efforts to improve its educational standing.
By emphasizing the importance of education and recognizing the vital role it plays in building a prosperous society, leaders like Karin Prien can help empower the next generation to tackle the challenges of an ever-changing world.
