Scotland holds ‘competitive position’ in education but core subjects decline

Scotland holds a “competitive position” in education, a new international study shows.

However, reading and maths have declined as a whole, according to new results released by the Programme for International Student Assessment (Pisa).

The international study records the knowledge and skills of 15-year-olds and is co-ordinated by the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD).

Scotland has taken part in every cycle of the study since 2000 – with 115 schools and colleges, and 3,066 pupils across the country taking part in Pisa 2025.

In Scotland, performance in science, mathematics and reading did not change significantly between 2022 and 2025 – with mathematics and reading declining.

Previous longer-term declines seen in all three domains did not continue in the latest Pisa cycle, although performance remains significantly below that achieved in a number of earlier cycles.

Scotland performed particularly strongly in computational problem solving, with almost three in 10 pupils reaching the two highest proficiency levels.

Education Secretary Mairi McAllan said: “Pisa 2025 shows real strengths in Scottish education, as well as areas we’re already working to improve.

“The Curriculum Improvement Cycle is the largest change to Scotland’s curriculum in over 10 years, which will be fully rolled out with the teaching profession by August 2028.

“These results demonstrate that Scotland’s education system is competitive by international standards, performing above the OECD average on four measures out of five.

“Scotland has stabilised its international performance, which is very welcome, alongside the significant weakening in the relationship between learners’ socio-economic background and performance, particularly in reading.”

The new data found that pupils from more advantaged socio-economic backgrounds continued to perform better on average.

However, the relationship between pupils’ socio-economic background and performance was weaker than in 2022 in science and maths, and significantly weaker in reading than in every previous Pisa cycle.

Ms McAllan said the new Qualification Scotland results also showed a narrowing of the poverty-related attainment gap.

She continued: “This comes just weeks after this year’s Qualifications Scotland results, which showed a narrowing of the poverty-related attainment gap compared to both 2025 and pre-pandemic 2019, and increased pass rates at National 5, Highers and Advanced Highers.

“While recognising the positives, these results also underline the need for change in certain areas – change that I intend to lead in the coming period to ensure excellence and equity for all Scotland’s young people.”

Scottish Labour has criticised the results, which it said shows Scotland has “flatlined” since 2022’s results.

Scottish Labour Education spokesperson Katherine Sangster said: “It is vital that we are able to track our progress on education using data like Pisa – the only global education survey we are still in thanks to John Swinney’s own decision to remove us from the others.

“The SNP has made much of the improved exam results this summer, but these figures show there is still much more progress to be made.

“For Scottish young people to be lagging so far behind their English counterparts – over a year behind – should be a wake-up call to the SNP.

“This is not new – SNP ministers have had countless warnings and yet nothing has changed.

“Things have flatlined since 2022’s historically poor results and we are alarmingly far from where we were in before the SNP came to power, when Scotland was ahead of our neighbours in reading and maths.

“In spite of these challenges the SNP has put forward no plans for catch up, no ambition for our young people, and no ideas for curriculum reform. On top of that, they take no responsibility. Young Scots deserve better.”

The Scottish Liberal Democrats were also critical of the results.

Scottish Liberal Democrat MSP Duncan Dunlop MSP said: “Once the best in the world, Scottish education just isn’t what it used to be. Under the SNP, our education system has tumbled down the rankings, lagging behind England on every measure of performance. This report makes for brutal reading.

“Pupils with additional support needs aren’t having their needs met, too many pupils are frequently absent, and classrooms are more violent than ever before.

“Pupils, parents and teachers feel let down. They deserve better.

“Scottish Liberal Democrats want to give real power to schools, head teachers and communities because they know what pupils in their area need best. That’s on top of our plans to end the use of short-term and zero hours contracts for teachers and recruit 2,000 more pupil support assistants so that children who need extra help are able to receive it.”