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Education Secretary Mairi McAllan defended Scotland's performance in the 2025 Programme for International Student Assessments (Pisa) study, which showed a significant decline compared to previous years. McAllan argued that success should not be measured solely by test scores but by other factors like post-education outcomes and career readiness. Critics, including Scottish Conservative MSP Meghan Gallacher, called her stance "delusional" and criticized the SNP for prioritizing ideology over better educational results.
Written locally by qwen2.5:14b on 2026-09-17,
using this article's own text rather than the other coverage of the
same event (that is the story summary below).
Story summary
Education Secretary Mairi McAllan, a senior member of the SNP in Scotland, faced criticism for defending poor performance in the 2025 Programme for International Student Assessments (Pisa) study. The Pisa results showed Scotland's worst-ever performance, ranking Scottish 15-year-olds poorly based on their knowledge and skills. McAllan argued that schools should not be judged solely by test scores at age 15 but also by future success metrics such as employment readiness. She cited concerns over a narrowing attainment gap due to declining performance in less deprived areas.
Meanwhile, the Scottish Conservatives announced plans for a summit focused on education reform, featuring former UK Education Secretary Michael Gove among other experts. McAllan declined an invitation to attend, leading critics to label her response as 'delusional.'
Written for “Pisa Test Results Controversy” on 2026-09-18,
grounded in this article and the 0 other(s) covering the same event.
Why this leaning score
The model judged this article politically coded and scored it -0.30, but none of the 2 quote(s) it offered could be found in the article text, so the score is not published.
Written under an earlier scoring contract, which gave a paragraph
rather than checkable quotes. Re-analysing this article replaces it.
Leaning score withheld for article 16845: no verified evidence · logged 2026-09-17
A senior SNP minister has been branded ‘delusional’ for claiming schools should not be judged on the performance of 15-year-olds in an international study.
asserted
schools → brand → study
Education Secretary Mairi McAllan said several other factors must be taken into account after Scotland slumped to its worst ever performance in the Programme for International Student Assessments (Pisa) study for 2025, which records the knowledge and skills of 15-year-olds and is co-ordinated by the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development.
asserted
which → say → operation
She also dismissed concerns that the attainment gap has only narrowed in the study because of a large decline in the performance of pupils in the least deprived areas.
asserted
gap → dismiss → areas
It comes as it was revealed that the Scottish Conservatives will host a schools summit featuring experts including former UK Government Education Secretary Michael Gove – but Ms McAllan refused to commit to attending.
asserted
McAllan → come → Gove
In a statement to the Scottish Parliament on the Pisa results, Ms McAllan said: ‘I do believe success should be judged not only by test scores at age 15 but by where young people go next and whether they are equipped to succeed in work, training and further education.
asserted
they → say → work
‘I am proud that in Scotland, 95.7 per cent of school leavers move into a positive destination, one of the highest figures on record.’
asserted
cent → move → record
She added: ‘It is important that the Pisa results are not viewed in isolation.
asserted
results → add → isolation
And as Education Secretary it is important, to our young people, parents and carers and teachers themselves, that I recognise the strengths of Scottish education.’
asserted
I → recognise → education
Education experts including Professor Lindsay Paterson have highlighted that the Pisa study shows inequality reduced between 2018 and 2025 because there was a steeper decline in performance for the least deprived pupils compared to the most deprived.
asserted
inequality → include → deprived
Under Education Secretary Mairi McAllan Scotland slumped to its worst ever performance in the Programme for International Student Assessments (Pisa) study for 2025
Ms McAllan has refused to commit to attending Scottish Conservatives education summit featuring Michael Gove
Liberal Democrat MSP Duncan Dunlop said the Government is ‘limiting children’s life chances and dumbing down Scotland’s potential’.
Ms McAllan said: ‘Whilst I was assessing that downward trajectory that Pisa demonstrated to me, I could see that, for example, since 2009/10 the number of care-experienced young people who have entered positive destinations has increased from 58.1 per cent to 84.1 per cent.
uncertain
who → slump → cent
‘So that to me is another indication of a successful education system and we must keep pursuing that work.’
asserted
we → keep → work
Scottish Conservative MSP Meghan Gallacher, who invited Ms McAllan to join education experts including Mr Gove at her summit, said: ‘Mairi McAllan’s statement was full of delusion and denial.
‘It told you everything you need to know about the SNP’s approach to education - ideology comes before better results.
asserted
ideology → invite → results
‘I have invited Michael Gove to Scotland because I want to learn from what worked in England and explore what we can do better here.
asserted
we → invite → what
Under his leadership England expanded the academies programme, introduced a more rigorous curriculum and qualifications, and brought in phonics screening to improve early literacy.
asserted
England → expand → literacy
‘But apparently, Mairi McAllan would rather shut the door because she doesn’t like who he is.’
asserted
he → shut → door
In response to the offer, Ms McAllan said she will work with anyone pushing for improvement but added: ‘Whilst I am keen to work with anyone, the architects of Conservative austerity, which our schools are grappling with the effects of so much, would not be top of my list.’
asserted
schools → say → list
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