Germany addresses declining PISA scores at School Award

Recent PISA study results indicate a significant international decline in student performance in reading, mathematics, and science. In countries such as Germany, France, and the Netherlands, the proportion of 15-year-olds failing to meet basic proficiency levels has risen to nearly one in three. While reading scores have dropped by an average of 28 points since 2018, some researchers suggest that the lack of direct consequences for participants may affect motivation, noting that older students in paid assessments show different trends.

In response to these educational challenges, Chancellor Friedrich Merz addressed the 2026 German School Award in Berlin. He characterized the PISA results as a signal for action rather than a reason for despair, emphasizing the need for improved educational support in Germany. During the ceremony, the Bertha-von-Suttner-Schule in Mörfelden-Walldorf received the main prize for its approach of supporting students through regular diagnostics rather than early exclusion. Merz also highlighted the critical role of teachers and parents in fostering successful learning environments.