Cyprus's Teenagers Fall Behind: PISA 2025 Reveals Dire Reading and Science Skills Gap

A concerning new report from the OECD Programme for International Student Assessment (PISA) 2025 reveals that 62% of 15-year-olds in Cyprus lack basic reading skills, placing the island nation last in the European Union for both reading and science. This means nearly two out of three Cypriot teenagers struggle with fundamental comprehension, a stark contrast to the EU average of 31% and a significant blow to the country's educational standing. Education Minister Athena Michaelidou has acknowledged the 'consistently low' results, emphasizing the long road ahead for improvement. The latest PISA findings highlight a persistent decline in Cyprus's educational performance, with reading scores falling from 449 in 2012 to 379 in 2025, and similar drops in mathematics and science. Alarmingly, nearly a quarter of Cypriot students (24.9%) were found to give 'rushed answers' in the assessment, far exceeding the EU average of 10%, suggesting a deeper issue with student engagement and effort. Interestingly, the study also revealed that first-generation migrant students in Cyprus often outperform their Cypriot peers across all subjects, challenging existing public perceptions about educational challenges. In response to these critical results, the Cypriot Ministry of Education is actively pursuing a comprehensive action plan, including the reinstatement of civic education, a restored work week in upper secondary schools, and significant curriculum reform to align teaching with examination standards. Plans also include expanding financial literacy teaching and revising student assessment methods. While Education Minister Michaelidou remains optimistic about the direction of these reforms, she stressed that real, measurable progress will take time to materialize, with future PISA assessments serving as crucial benchmarks.