PISA headlines distract from daily realities Scottish teachers face, says veteran teacher

The useful part

Comments News opinion Andy Harvey 15:33, 09 Sep 2026 View Image The PISA report compares pupil performance around the world (Image: Getty Images) The furore surrounding the PISA rankings will be background noise for most teachers. Politicians home in on the 'league tables' as if our children's education is a spectator sport.

How it works

• We need to take an objective look at the PISA data in the round, and in context.
• The PISA data suggests that the effects of poverty on attainment and achievement in some areas are lessening somewhat.
• Teachers will be concerned about this, of course, but the last thing they need is ill-informed political interventions, or half-baked comparisons with neighbouring countries, on the back of one data set.
• Rather than use PISA as a political football, it should be used to better understand the challenges we face and inform how to put them right.
• Teachers are already working over 11 extra hours a week with levels of additional support now at 43 per cent in mainstream classes, and rising levels of violence and aggression.

What to take from it

We expect attention will fall on the reported longer-term, albeit uneven, declines in performance in mathematics, science and reading. is a matter of concern internationally with increased digitalisation, longer screen time and falling rates of reading for enjoyment impacting children and young people's learning skills. ‌ Headlines decry falling standards and demand we get 'back to basics' might provide political capital for some.

Example or evidence

• That reflects the quality of teaching, but also the commitment of teachers and headteachers to mitigate poverty.
• ‌ It certainly does not reflect a significant decrease in poverty which underpins a myriad of other issues impacting schools, including behaviour, attendance and learning progression.
• PISA tells us that, overwhelmingly, children have positive learning experiences in Scotland's schools.
• PISA is clear that reading – which is fundamental to learning across the curriculum.

Details worth keeping

It undermines the good work our schools are doing. That will be no surprise to any teacher or parent. Additionally, the finding that over 50 per cent of head teachers feel learning is hindered by staff shortages will chime with many teachers.

Related coverage

• Scotsman: Every couple of years, a big education report by the name of PISA comes to town.
• Thenational: STATISTICS published this week showing children's performance in reading and maths had declined in Scotland led to explosion of negative headlines calling out the SNP's record in education.
• Dailyrecord: McAllan was mocked by opposition parties after she previously suggested the 2026 Pisa report did not reflect Scots schools' success in "artistic expression".