Faroese students’ reading scores fall in latest PISA test

Faroese students are performing worse in reading, according to the latest PISA assessment reported by Kringvarp Føroya.

Students in the Faroe Islands scored 428 points in reading, 19 points fewer than in 2022 and 42 points fewer than in 2015.

The most serious concern is that 42 percent of students now have reading skills considered non-functional. This means they have difficulty understanding and using texts in ordinary everyday and school situations.

The gender gap has also widened. Girls scored 449 points in reading, compared with 407 points for boys.

Rakul Skaale Andreasen, a lecturer in Faroese, summarised the reading results. The presentation also included recommendations for developing and improving reading skills.

Small gains in mathematics and science

Students made modest progress in mathematics and natural sciences compared with 2022.

They scored 452 points in mathematics, six points more than in 2022. However, 35 percent of students remain below the minimum proficiency level.

In natural sciences, the Faroe Islands scored 451 points, up from 447 in 2022. The results still remain below the OECD average and behind most of the other Nordic countries.

Overall, the Faroe Islands ranked fifth among six Nordic countries. Only Iceland recorded lower results.

PISA assesses the reading, mathematics and natural science skills of 15 year old students. The assessment was conducted in December last year.