The
results of the test, known as PISA (for Programme for International Student
Assessment), which is administered every three years by OECD´s to assess math,
science, and reading proficiency were disclosed a few days ago. China ranks first.
First, regarding China's impressive performance, it is worth noting that even Jack Ma, one of the country’s most prominent business figures, has criticized China's pedagogical approach, calling it flawed. https://pacheco-torgal.blogspot.com/2019/10/the-role-of-academia-towards-type-1.html
Second, it is rather paradoxical that while a Physics Professor at the Oxford University has warned that “with regard to the climate crisis, yes, it’s time to panic,” we continue sleepwalking into environmental catastrophe while placing undue importance on assessments like PISA.
Moreover, the OECD's ability to define the best education model for the future is highly questionable. A professor of education at the Norwegian University of Science and Technology has sharply criticized the OECD 2030 Learning Framework, stating: To address major challenges such as climate change or migration or technological disruptions, the current and future generations need to have the skills to create and innovate new solutions (and jobs) while holding themselves to high ethical and moral standards to ensure a more equitable and humane world.”
In light of this, how can we seriously believe that churning out students who excel in math, science, and reading—without fostering deep ethical consciousness and moral responsibility—will somehow create the visionary innovators capable of tackling the world's most urgent and existential crises?
