Heunicke launches school tour after poor PISA results

Danish Education Minister Magnus Heunicke has begun a nationwide tour of schools after poor results in the latest PISA assessment, DR reports. He said he wants to hear from teachers, school leaders and pupils about what is working and what is not.

His first stop was Lille Næstved School, a school in Næstved, where pupils in the early years use books and exercise books rather than screens.

Heunicke said he wants to spread the school’s screen-free approach to other schools. He said pupils who read and write with books and pencils are better able to learn, and that screens can distract them.

According to Heunicke, the PISA assessment shows that Danish pupils are among those who spend the most time using computer screens during lessons. He said screens have a place in teaching, but should not be the only tool, particularly in the early school years.