Slovak Eighth-graders Outperform or Match Average of 34 Countries in ICILS Study

Bratislava, November 12 (TASR) - Slovak eighth-graders (aged 13-and-a-half or above) achieved results that were better than or comparable with the average attained by their peers from 34 participating countries in the ICILS international study of computer and information literacy, although their results were worse than a decade ago, Education Minister Tomas Drucker (Voice-SD) has reported. The third cycle of the International Computer and Information Literacy Study (ICILS) was carried out in 2023. According to the minister, the socio-economic environment is to blame for the deteriorating performance of students. He stated that children from families with higher education, more books and computers at home performed better in the study. He also noted that students from the Czech Republic scored significantly better. In this vein, he highlighted the steps necessary to change the situation, including his proposed measures: the introduction of a new curriculum at primary schools, the early inclusion of children in nursery schools, and expanding the digital equipment available to schools. tl/df/zel