Education Minister Magnus Heunicke summoned school-sector organizations to a crisis meeting on Tuesday after new PISA results showed Danish 15-year-olds at their lowest measured level ever.
DR reports that Heunicke called the meeting for 4:30 p.m. on September 8 at the Ministry of Education in Copenhagen. He said Denmark has a problem, and described the drop in pupils’ abilities as very serious and drastic. He added that the situation calls for action, not a rushed response.
Invited were Skolelederforeningen, Danmarks Lærerforening, Danske Skoleelever, Kommunernes Landsforening, Skole & Forældre and the pedagogues’ union BUPL. According to DR, the parties were asked to discuss what has gone wrong and what can be done. Heunicke said he accepts responsibility, as do successive governments.
The PISA study tests 15-year-olds in reading, mathematics and science. Pupils also answer questions about their background, wellbeing and school environment. Per DR, these are the weakest Danish results since PISA began in 2000, with reading the worst-affected area.
The Ministry of Education stated that the academic level of Danish pupils is lower than ever measured, with 460 points in reading, 471 in mathematics and 478 in science. As reported by TV 2, the decline in reading is particularly sharp compared with the 2022 measurement.
Reactions from politicians and organizations
Venstre’s education spokesperson, Anni Matthiesen, called the results a catastrophe that requires political action in a written statement. The Conservatives’ group chair, Mette Abildgaard, described them as shocking and catastrophic. Enhedslisten’s education spokesperson, Leila Stockmarr, said the outcome is shameful for those holding political responsibility.
Gordon Ørskov Madsen, chair of Danmarks Lærerforening, described the development as an accident in slow motion, according to DR. Mikkel Haarder, deputy director for research at DI, called the survey an incredibly sad picture. He criticized municipalities for being too far from following up on poor results.
Anders Winnerskjold, chair of KL’s children and education committee, said schools are the responsibility of municipal councils. He rejected DI’s criticism, saying it sounded as though DI had not visited Danish schools recently.
Berlingske reported that after the crisis meeting Heunicke said all actors agreed on the seriousness of the situation. He also said that raising pupils’ academic level requires more resources, signaling government willingness to spend more on schools.
KL has hastily convened mayors, committee chairs and municipal directors from across the country for a meeting on Monday, September 14. According to KL, the PISA results and possible municipal actions are on the agenda. DR reports that the participants will discuss the figures and possible solutions.
