The case

Compared with young people in other countries, 15-year-olds in Switzerland score well to very well in maths, reading and science. Switzerland is above the OECD average in all three areas of competence tested.

The current PISA study shows that 15-year-olds in Switzerland achieve the best test results in maths. Still, the fact that there are more and more underperforming pupils is a cause for concern. Since 2015, the proportion has risen from 20 to 25 %.

One in four young people does not achieve the minimum level of competence as defined by the OECD. The fact that the results have now deteriorated even further alarms Switzerland’s top teacher Dagmar Rösler: “This is one of the sore points. We need to take a close look. 25 % is too high.”

 

Source: admin.ch & oecd.org and Swiss press

The commentary

According to experts, there are probably a number of pupils among the 25% who would like to start an apprenticeship, including the skilled workers who are in short supply.

Skilles such as preparing quotations for customers, writing invoices, accepting orders and communicating professionally with customers are essential – and next to impossible to master if you have reading difficulties.

The experts state that if students can read fluently and understand analogue texts, switching to the digital space should not pose a major challenge. Yet, if you have not learned to read properly, how can you make the required step into the digital world? Teaching to read is going to be one of the major obstacles schools will have to try and overcome.

 

 

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