OECD: Cypriot students lack in knowledge and skills

Cypriot students about to graduate from secondary schools do not seem to have the knowledge and the skills necessary for their full integration and participation in modern society, an OECD Programme for International Student Assessment (PISA) has shown.

The latest PISA findings were presented during a workshop, on Tuesday, at Filoxenia conference centre, in Nicosia.

Addressing the event Minister of Education and Culture Costas Kadis said the findings show that most 15 year olds in Cyprus are limited to lower level skills on handling routine problems in the subjects of mathematics, natural sciences and text comprehension.

The number of students who have acquired skills allowing them to reach composite conclusions, to evaluate arguments and reflect on them is relatively small, he added.

He expressed his ministry`s determination to focus on the matter at hand and make the most of the findings in order to set a course for improvement.

Kadis noted that improving student results is one of the important goals of the ministry for this year, adding that it is what society demands.