PISA RESULTS

September 8th, 2026  

UCAC shares the general disappointment with the PISA results again this year.

UCAC General Secretary, Ioan Rhys Jones, said:

‘Whatever your views on PISA as a way of assessing education, this year’s results are disappointing.

However, it must be acknowledged that PISA only provides a quick snapshot of the education system, across a limited range of skills.  We must also remember that only a sample of schools participate in these tests every three years. Having said that, it is clear that there is a need to plan improvements, and attention should be accorded to basic skills across the country.

We can only hope that the Curriculum for Wales, once fully established, will provide a solid foundation for learners and that the new Foundation Literacy and Numeracy Framework will be a means to plan, benchmark, and ensure national improvement in the years to come.

It is crucial that all improvement plans consider all aspects of education, including the community and the home.  We would welcome robust financial investment in our schools, therefore leading ultimately to an improvement in standards.  The education workforce is currently working hard under challenging circumstances. Hopefully, we will see the present government appreciating the importance of investing in education, thus providing solid and strong foundations for our students, who are our future.’