Dodi Irawan
PARIS – The results of the 2025 Programme for International Student Assessment (PISA) survey, released by the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) on Tuesday, indicate a significant decline in French students' educational achievements. Edouard Geffray, the French Minister of Education, responded to these findings by stating that the condition represents a fundamental phenomenon rooted in changing approaches to child education, primarily due to intense exposure to social media.
The drop in French students' performance in the 2025 PISA assessment has triggered deep concern. Geffray openly admitted that the government should have asked earlier about the measures to be taken for junior high school. This statement underscores the urgency of more proactive and anticipatory policy reflection.
This is a fundamental phenomenon, Geffray stated, referring to the paradigm shift in education. He emphasized that the current learning environment for children is vastly different from previous decades. Unrestricted access to information and online interaction has shaped how they process knowledge and engage socially.
Exposure to digital platforms and social networks is cited as one of the main contributing factors to this decline. Geffray identified that todays students are highly susceptible to distractions and information overload from social media, potentially eroding their learning focus and critical analytical skills.
In response to this challenge, the Minister of Education proposed concrete steps to address the issue. He advocated for clarifying learning objectives for students' families. The hope is that with a better understanding of educational expectations, parents can actively support their children's learning process.
Geffray's proposal indicates a need for a closer partnership between schools and families. This collaboration is considered crucial for creating a coherent educational ecosystem where academic values and positive behaviors can be consistently instilled both in school and at home.
The OECD's periodic reviews highlight global education trends, and the 2025 PISA findings for France reinforce the urgency of reform. This issue is not only a national concern for France but is also relevant for other countries facing similar dynamics in the era of educational digitalization.
Education experts also continue to seek solutions. Global economists urge presidential candidates to prioritize proven learning strategies, a call that is increasingly relevant amid the challenges revealed by PISA 2025.
Furthermore, the complexity of the French education system has also been highlighted in relation to segregation. A study once revealed that segregation in French schools is even worse than residential separation, adding another layer of challenge in the efforts to achieve educational equity.
Curriculum revisions and teaching methods are an inevitable agenda. Modern education must equip students with relevant skills, not just for exams, but also to navigate the complexities of life in the 21st century. This includes digital literacy and critical thinking skills.
Editorial Insight: Edouard Geffray's statement highlights a fundamental dilemma of modern education: how to maintain academic quality when students are bombarded with information from social media. Identifying the root causes is a crucial first step, but implementing effective solutions requires policy synergy, pedagogical innovation, and active involvement from every segment of society. Failure to adapt could result in a generational lag, making education reform an unavoidable national priority.
