The Ministry of Human Resource Development (HRD) in India has made the decision to re-engage in the Program for International Student Assessment (PISA) after a decade-long hiatus. PISA is an international evaluation of student abilities that occurs every three years, orchestrated by the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD). First carried out in 2000, the primary areas of study shift between reading, mathematics, and science each cycle. This examination is competency-based and is designed to evaluate the aptitudes of 15-year-old candidates in reading, math, and science literacy, focusing on the application of this knowledge to real-life scenarios.
India’s Involvement in PISA
India was last involved in PISA in 2009. Unfortunately, students did not perform well, landing the country the 72nd spot out of 74 participating nations. The government at the time chose to boycott PISA, attributing India’s poor performance to “out of context” questions. The country did not participate in the 2012 and 2015 cycles. However, in 2016, the HRD Ministry reconsidered and formed a committee to review the situation. The committee suggested that India take part in the 2018 test cycle.
An Overview of the Indian Education System
The current education system in Indian schools places an excessive emphasis on marks, making it essentially one dimensional. A major issue within this system is the lack of trained teachers at all levels. Many university students are considered unemployable due to their inability to apply what they’ve learned to practical situations — a problem that originates in schools where rote learning is favored over promoting creativity. UNESCO data reveals that India’s public expenditure rates on education per student are amongst the lowest, especially when compared to other Asian nations like China. With a literacy rate of approximately 74 percent, India trails behind other BRICS nations that boast literacy rates over 90 percent.
The Indian Education System in the Context of PISA
Unlike most academic exams in India, PISA is not designed to test students’ memory or curriculum-based knowledge. Instead, its science exam measures three competencies: ability to explain scientific phenomena, scientific interpretation of data and evidence, and the capacity to design and evaluate a scientific inquiry. Similarly, while reading in India is often merely decoding words or reading aloud, PISA defines it as an individual’s capacity to understand, use, and reflect on written information in diverse situations. This shift in understanding literacy and numeracy emphasizes crucial skills like critical thinking, problem-solving, and expression.
Attaining Equity in Learning Outcomes
Countries like Finland, Sweden, and Denmark have demonstrated that educational equity can significantly improve overall learning outcomes. By not segregating students based on their learning pace or social, ethnic, or other differences, they’ve created inclusive classrooms that foster better comprehension and learning. Moreover, students who’ve attended pre-primary education tend to perform better than those who haven’t.
The Advantages of PISA
PISA data reveals patterns among high-performing school systems, which can be useful for benchmarking and identifying successful education reform strategies. PISA serves as a standard for school systems worldwide, providing insight into what makes a school system “the best”.
Critiques of PISA
Despite its benefits, PISA has been criticized for creating an over-reliance on standardised testing, which often prioritizes quantitative measurements over qualitative aspects of education. Critics argue that this has led countries to adopt temporary solutions to boost their rankings rather than focusing on long-term, sustainable improvements in their education systems.
The decision to participate in PISA reflects India’s commitment to improve and modernize its education system on a global scale.
