Will the Cabinet Minister explain the recent PISA results showing Wales trailing England, Scotland and Northern Ireland in reading, maths and science, with no post-pandemic recovery?
The PISA results are disappointing and we are not where anyone would want to be. Wales’ scores remain below those in other comparable countries, with too many of our learners performing below international averages. The impact of the pandemic continues to be felt across our education system, albeit associated challenges are not unique to Wales. Our new Foundational Literacy and Numeracy Plan represents the first step in our ambition to raise standards and takes a holistic, cross-departmental approach to supporting schools and learners to improve. The Plan sets clearer expectations, strengthens assessment and early intervention, and refocuses attention on the foundational skills needed in work and life.