PISA Founder Interview: Next Steps After Shocking Education Results

Our schools are facing a turning point.When the PISA 2025 results dropped, they sent shockwaves through our educational ecosystem. Rwanda's debut scores -- averaging 317 in science, 312 in reading, and 301 in math -- showed that only 3% of our students are meeting baseline global proficiencies across all three subjects. In this exclusive conversation, we sit down with Andreas Schleicher, the founder and director of PISA, to break down what these numbers actually mean. This isn't just about low rankings -- it is a fundamental critique of an outdated model that prioritises rote memorisation over critical, real-world thinking.Schleicher doesn't pull punches. He diagnoses exactly where the systemic gaps lie, why our current classroom methods are failing modern students, and -- most importantly -- provides a concrete roadmap for urgent policy reform. If you care about the future of Rwanda's economy, workforce, and children, this is a non-negotiable watch. Don't forget to subscribe and leave your thoughts in the comments below: How do you think we should change our school system? Chapters 00:00 Hook 02:08 Introduction 03:39 Rationale Behind PISA 05:58 Why Non-OECD Members Participate in PISA 07:25 PISA vs Ordinary National Exams 10:35 Structure of the PISA Assessment 11:41 Why PISA Targets 15-Year-Olds 12:36 Criteria for Participating in PISA 13:55 Rwanda’s PISA Performance 16:12 The Role of Parents in Education 19:27 Parental Interest in Children’s Learning 20:33 Lessons from Rwanda’s PISA Performance 23:57 Why Frequent Assessments Should Be Part of Learning 25:54 How Can Rwanda Better Prepare for the Next PISA? 28:50 What Positives Can Rwanda Build On? 31:07 Bullying in Rwandan Schools 32:11 Rwanda’s PISA Performance Compared to Other African Countries 34:00 Key Takeaways from PISA for Countries 36:18 Investing in Education 38:27 Can Rwanda Turn Around Its PISA Performance? 40:44 A Message to Parents, Teachers and Students 42:14 PISA Is Not Just a Mirror, It’s a Window 44:15 Funding for PISA 46:49 The Inspiration Behind PISA and Its Future 50:15 Integrating AI into PISA 51:59 Outro