Reykjavík students lead Iceland in new PISA results

Reykjavík Mayor Hildur Björnsdóttir welcomed the fact that students in the capital performed better than those in other parts of Iceland in the latest PISA assessment, mbl.is reported. She nevertheless said the results required serious attention because Icelandic students have never performed worse in the international study.

“It is of course pleasing to see that students in Reykjavík are above the national average in this PISA study. However, it is entirely clear that Icelandic students have never measured worse in PISA, and we must take that seriously even though we can celebrate the overall result compared with other municipalities in the country,” Hildur said at a Reykjavík City Council meeting on Tuesday.

She also highlighted several positive findings. Iceland ranked among the top OECD countries for resilience and social connections, while students’ self-regulation in learning and their experience of teacher support were also among the strongest in the OECD.

Resilience had increased significantly since 2022, Hildur said. Bullying was limited in Iceland, and the difference between schools was the smallest in the OECD.

However, she said the results also raised concerns. Nearly one-third of students did not reach basic proficiency in any subject area, while only a small number achieved advanced proficiency.

Hildur pointed to recommendations from the report, including recruiting more teachers, strengthening school leaders’ instructional leadership skills, providing early intervention for the most vulnerable group, improving teaching materials and investing in science subjects.

The recommendations also call for specific measures for students of foreign origin, as well as stronger assessment and follow-up to measure the results of interventions over time.

Hildur said she hoped there was cross-party support in the city council for a major effort on education. Reykjavík could not be satisfied with its performance in international comparisons, she said.