The latest results from the Programme for International Student Assessment (PISA) confirm an ongoing downward trend in student performance since 2012, not just in Luxembourg but globally. Top performers include countries such as China, Singapore, Japan, as well as Estonia, Switzerland, and England. At the bottom of the rankings are Rwanda, Iraqi Kurdistan, and Kenya. Luxembourg remains slightly below the OECD average, roughly in line with its typical position in recent years.
Several factors are thought to contribute to the decline in reading skills, but increasing and prolonged use of social media stands out as a significant cause. According to Luc Weis, director of the SCRIPT (Service de Coordination de la Recherche et de l’Innovation Pédagogiques et Technologiques) at the Ministry of Education, young people "spend more time on their devices, read faster and more superficially. The PISA data shows, for example, that the rate of careless mistakes in reading has doubled."
At present, Luxembourg’s secondary schools can choose between three models for smartphone restrictions: banning phones during lessons, during breaks, or throughout the entire school day. Minister Claude Meisch has announced talks with school representatives to introduce a general ban on smartphones in the lower classes (7ème, 6ème, and 5ème). He also called on parents to limit their children’s smartphone use outside school.
Luc Weis also highlighted that children whose parents read to them at home achieve much better results. He believes that schools need a clear strategy to encourage reading of longer texts “with enthusiasm and rigour”. The ministry is therefore developing an action plan to promote reading across society.
John and Tom discussed the upcoming Kick Cancer Into Touch on 27th September, which is going to be great fun and the Algorhythm tonight was Interpol!
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