Esther Giménez-Salinas has initiated an inquiry into irregularities in the PISA 2025 results for Catalonia, raising concerns over representativeness and fairness.
Irregularities in the PISA 2025 testing results have prompted Esther Giménez-Salinas, Catalonia’s education ombudsman, to launch an official investigation. The Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) has indicated that the outcomes from this year’s tests are neither representative nor comparable to previous assessments or other regions. This situation necessitates a thorough examination of the factors contributing to these discrepancies.
The investigation comes alongside confidential inquiries initiated by the Department of Education and Vocational Training earlier this year. The department is seeking detailed information regarding the 51 schools involved in the PISA sample, including data on students exempted from testing and the support mechanisms implemented at participating institutions.
Giménez-Salinas emphasized the need for clarity, particularly concerning students excluded due to physical, cognitive, emotional, or behavioral disabilities. She noted that this exclusion rate is significantly higher than what is typically observed among fourth-year ESO students. Current statistics reveal that approximately 5% of students have severe educational needs, while nearly 10% require additional support due to learning delays.
The Department of Education has raised concerns about potential misapplication of exemption criteria during student selection for PISA tests. Notably, while only 9.7% of students were exempted from basic competency tests conducted in April 2025—similar to those administered by PISA—the exemption rate for PISA reached an alarming 23.2%. This stark contrast raises questions about adherence to established guidelines.
The ombudsman has called for strict compliance with selection processes to ensure transparency and integrity in future assessments. She advocates for a pivotal role for the newly established Agència d’Avaluació i Prospectiva de l’Educació, which was created by the current government to enhance data reliability following previous controversies surrounding educational evaluations.
This agency began operations in July 2025 after replacing the former Consell Superior d’Avaluació, which faced criticism after issues arose during PISA 2022 assessments that led to significant administrative changes within the department.
The ongoing scrutiny reflects broader concerns about educational equity and accountability within Catalonia’s school system. As stakeholders await further developments from both investigations, it remains crucial for parents and educators alike to stay informed about how these findings may impact future educational policies and practices.
The next steps involve gathering comprehensive reports from all involved parties as well as ensuring that any necessary adjustments are made before subsequent testing cycles commence. Parents can expect updates through official channels regarding how these inquiries will shape their children’s educational landscape moving forward.
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