The OECD reported an unprecedented decline in teenagers’ math and reading skills across many countries, with COVID school closures only partially to blame.
The study, involving nearly 700,000 youths in 81 countries, showed significant drops in reading and math performance since 2018.
Germany, Iceland, the Netherlands, Norway, and Poland saw particularly sharp drops in math scores. (Trending: Bombshell Email Uncovered Between Joe Biden And Hunter)
Structural factors in education systems were highlighted as more likely causes than COVID.
“COVID probably played some role but I would not overrate it,” OECD director of education Andreas Schleicher said.
“There are underlying structural factors and they are much more likely to be permanent features of our education systems that policymakers should really take seriously.”
Countries providing extra teacher support during closures fared better, while poorer results were associated with higher rates of mobile phone use and teacher shortages.
Singapore, Macau, Taiwan, Hong Kong, Japan, and South Korea outperformed in math and science, with Singapore’s students appearing three to five years ahead of their peers.
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