Knowledge is a crucial factor for the development of a country. The more knowledge a person acquires, the more power they will have: they will develop the skills of critical thinking, problem solving and creativity. The PISA tests, conducted by the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), assess the skills and knowledge of 15-year-old students in more than 80 countries, in different areas, such as mathematics, reading comprehension and science. . These results provide important insight into educational attainment and its ability to compete in an increasingly globalized world.
In the latest 2022 results of the PISA tests, a significant gap was observed between the Latin American countries and the rest of the members, especially compared to the Asian countries. While some countries such as Singapore, Macau, Taiwan, Japan and South Korea achieved excellent results, our countries found themselves lagging behind in comparison.
One of the most worrying aspects was performance in mathematics. Mathematical skills are essential for the development of logical reasoning and problem-solving abilities. The results revealed that the Latin American countries presented a low level of mastery in this area, which represents a challenge for their future economic and technological development. 29 % of Hispanic students achieved at least level 2 proficiency in mathematics, significantly lower than the average 69 % of OECD countries, according to the study.
Another key and important indicator of educational quality is reading comprehension. The ability to understand complex texts and extract relevant information is crucial for continued learning and the development of critical thinking skills. Unfortunately, Latin American countries also showed unsatisfactory results in this area, which raises the need to improve reading programs and encourage the habit from an early age. Around 49% of young Hispanics achieved level 2 or higher, when the OECD average was 74%. The same percentage was obtained in the science test.
In contrast, Asian countries have demonstrated outstanding performance in the PISA tests. They have implemented effective educational policies that emphasize the importance of knowledge and promote an environment conducive to learning. These countries have invested in the training of highly trained teachers, have encouraged the active participation of students in the educational process, and have established high academic expectations. This clearly supports the “giant” step towards development and wealth of the resurgent Asian countries.
These results, more than simple tests, highlight the need to prioritize knowledge through new forms of education that allow the positive development of a country. Our nations must focus on improving these processes taking as reference what was carried out in the “Asian phenomenon.” Only through a solid and quality education can we guarantee a promising future for future generations and greater economic and social development.
