Nicușor Dan reacts to the PISA 2025 results and calls for greater investment, data-based assessments, and urgent measures for vulnerable students

President Nicușor Dan called on Tuesday for greater, more consistent and better-targeted investment in education, following the publication of the 2025 PISA study results by the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development. The head of state considers the report a “major wake-up call” and warns that a child’s chances of achieving good results depend to an unacceptably large extent on their family and the school they attend.

The data show that 48% of 15-year-old Romanian students do not reach the minimum level of understanding for a text of moderate length. The proportion rose from 41.7% in 2022, while Romania’s reading score fell by 16 points. At the same time, 38.5% of students are below the minimum level in reading, mathematics and science, compared with 33.2% in 2022 and the OECD average of 19.7%.

Nicușor Dan highlighted significant differences between schools and among students from different socio-economic backgrounds. The president called for the early identification of children at educational risk, a reduction in school dropout, the strengthening of basic skills and the responsible use of technology and artificial intelligence.

He said Romania has curious students, dedicated teachers and specialists capable of proposing solutions, but that it is necessary to turn examples of achievement into a functional and equitable system for all children.‌