Education is one of the most powerful tools at our disposal, ensuring an organised transmission of knowledge and skills. It is fundamental for accessible personal and professional development and a crucial element of resilient, inclusive and innovative societies. Quality education systems transcend national borders and boundaries. Job markets are increasingly global, learning mobility is more common in higher education institutions and technology travels freely worldwide thanks to the digital transition. Education is also a central pillar of the European Union’s co‑operation with international partners, particularly our Eastern Partnership (EaP) neighbours.
This study, developed in partnership with the OECD and UNICEF, offers an in-depth analysis of the basic skills performance of Baku (Azerbaijan), Georgia, Moldova and 18 out of the 27 Ukrainian regions in the OECD Programme for International Student Assessment (PISA), the most comprehensive cross-country comparison of learning outcomes in basic education. Importantly, these findings are not just statistics. They represent students’ hopes, teachers’ dedication and governments’ ambition to strive for better opportunities for their citizens.
While circumstances differ for each country, region or city, it is clear that significant improvements have been achieved since EaP countries began participating in PISA. Yet, this study highlights a pressing need to strengthen basic skills, as a significant proportion of students lack proficiency in core areas such as reading, mathematics and science, which poses challenges for their future learning and employability. Moreover, external shocks, such as Russia’s illegal war of aggression against Ukraine and the COVID-19 pandemic, have jeopardised recent successes and brought with them new challenges. The combination of these factors stresses the need to reinforce learning outcomes, accelerate learning recovery and ensure that all students succeed and learn in a safe and inclusive environment regardless of their background.
The road ahead demands targeted interventions to recover learning losses, build resilience and foster inclusive education systems. Only then can education be a true driver of economic development in the region. This report serves as a call to action, inviting governments, educators, communities and international partners to address its findings and implement its recommendations.
The European Commission will continue championing qualitative and inclusive education with EaP countries as we look to the future. We share the goal of equipping young people with the skills needed for the rapidly changing world they will inherit and encouraging lifelong learning. Education is the path to employability and personal growth. It is also the foundation for building a stable, prosperous and democratic future for all.
Pia Ahrenkilde-Hansen,
European Commission,
Director General for Education, Youth, Sport and Culture