Turkey's Students Improve in Math, Reading, and Science

Turkey just achieved something most education systems can only dream of: getting better at teaching math, reading, and science all at once.

The country's students improved across all three subjects in the 2025 Programme for International Student Assessment (PISA), a global test that measures how well 15-year-olds are learning. Andreas Schleicher, who leads education research at the OECD, called Turkey's results "a success story the world should pay attention to."

The news gets even better when you look at the details. Turkey's public schools are now outperforming private schools in every subject tested, a complete reversal from previous years.

In science, public schools scored 497 points, beating private schools by 22 points and surpassing the international average of 482. Public schools also led in reading with 475 points, 14 points above the global average and 26 points ahead of private schools. Even in math, public schools edged out the international average with 464 points compared to 444 for private schools.

The improvement isn't just about test scores. Seven out of 10 Turkish students now say their teachers genuinely care about their learning, keep explaining until they understand, and offer extra help when needed.

Schleicher emphasized this wasn't a one-year fluke. He described Turkey as "a school system truly on the move," pointing to steady progress since 2015 in reducing the number of students who struggle with basic skills.

The Ripple Effect

What makes Turkey's achievement particularly meaningful is how it's lifting up students who need the most support. The country has steadily reduced the share of low-performing students over the past decade, ensuring more young people have the foundational skills they need for future opportunities.

Students themselves are showing encouraging signs beyond academics. They're demonstrating curiosity, perseverance, and a growth mindset, believing their abilities can improve through effort and practice. They're also embracing technology and AI enthusiastically, though Schleicher cautioned that tools should enhance learning, not just make things easier.

Turkey's progress proves that entire education systems can turn around when they focus on what matters: engaging teachers, curious students, and sustained commitment to improvement across every classroom.