Dominican Republic students post low scores in math, reading and science

Santo Domingo.- Fifteen-year-old students in the Dominican Republic continue to perform below the OECD average in mathematics, reading and science, with results remaining virtually unchanged from 2022, according to the latest Programme for International Student Assessment (PISA) report released Tuesday.

Dominican students scored an average of 339 points in mathematics, 346 in reading and 361 in science, all below the averages recorded by countries in the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD).

Low proficiency levels

Only 9% of Dominican students reached at least the basic proficiency level in mathematics, compared with 65% across OECD countries. In reading, 23% of Dominican students performed above the basic level, compared with 69% in the OECD, while 26% reached that threshold in science, compared with 74% among OECD students.

The report also found that virtually no Dominican students achieved the highest proficiency levels in mathematics, science or reading. By comparison, the OECD averages were 8% in mathematics, 7% in science and 6% in reading.

Socioeconomic differences and bullying

The assessment found a performance gap linked to socioeconomic conditions. Students from the top 25% of socioeconomic backgrounds outperformed those in the bottom 25% by 69 points in science. While significant, the gap was narrower than the 85-point average difference across OECD countries.

The report also highlighted concerns about school bullying. In 2025, 27% of Dominican students said they had experienced at least one form of bullying several times a month or more, compared with an OECD average of 20%.

The PISA assessment evaluated more than 760,000 students across 91 countries and economies, providing an international comparison of 15-year-old students’ academic performance and learning conditions.