Long-term wellbeing of European societies is at stake

By Natália MazotteFreelance Journalist, SGI NewsChild and youth opportunitiesChildren and young people are among the biggest losers in the European economic and debt crisis. What do the staggering numbers in youth unemployment and child poverty in Europe mean for the future of this generation – and the continent as a whole?While Europe continues to struggle to leave the legacy of the financial crisis...

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How much time is spent on maths and science in primary education?

by Dirk Van DammeHead of the Innovation and Measuring Division, Directorate for Education and SkillsCompulsory instruction time per subject in primary education, in hours per school day (2015)Primary school is a fundamental stage in children’s education. Yet it is often neglected in education research and policy debates, somehow squeezed between the seemingly more important stages of early childhood...

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Why teacher professionalism matters

by Katarzyna KubackaAnalyst, Directorate for Education and SkillsIf you were to search for the term teacher professionalism on the Internet, you may come across websites recommending professional dress code or “look” for teachers. Although this may be of some use to a new teacher, appearance is not what most policy makers, school leaders and teachers have in mind when they insist on the need for a...

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Are we failing our failing students?

by Daniel SalinasAnalyst, Directorate for Education and SkillsTens of thousands of students in each country, and millions of students around the world, reach the end of their compulsory education without having acquired the basic skills needed in today’s society and workplace. In fact, not even the countries that lead the international rankings of education performance can yet claim that all of their...

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On target for 21st-century learning? The answers (and questions) are now on line

by Tue HalgreenAnalyst, OECD Directorate for Education and SkillsKelly MakowieckiResearch Assistant, OECD Directorate for Education and SkillsPut your pencils down. No, the test isn’t over; it might just be starting: the PISA-based Test for Schools has gone digital.School leaders are calling the PISA-based Test for Schools one of the better indicators out there of how well students are prepared for...

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