POED Expresses Concerns About PIRLS Survey Validity

POED has voiced strong concerns regarding the validity of the results of the international PIRLS (Progress in International Reading Literacy Study) survey, citing serious problems in the implementation process. In a letter to the Director of Primary Education, Marios Stylianides, the organization requests a meeting to discuss its recommendations.

POED states that Cypriot students have been participating in international surveys for two decades, and the data should be used for improvement interventions rather than comparisons. It also notes that the selective use of data by various entities often wrongly targets educators.

The organization points out that international surveys have now moved to full digital data collection, which requires digital literacy skills of students, adequate networking, and digital equipment, which do not reflect the reality of the Cypriot education system.

POED requests the institutionalization and increase of the ICT Coordinator's time and adequate staffing with IT Advisors, as well as the reduction of extra-curricular duties of teachers.

Source: KYΠΕ