Dominican Republic records significant progress in PISA 2025 test results
Education in the Dominican Republic shows signs of sustained progress, according to the most recent results of the 2025 PISA tests. The report reflects a positive evolution in the learning levels of Dominican students, especially highlighting improvements in the area of Science and a notable strengthening in socioeconomic equity within the national education system.
The evaluation was coordinated by the Dominican Institute for Evaluation and Research of Educational Quality (IDEICE) and included the participation of 7,080 15-year-old students from 257 educational centers distributed across the country’s 18 regional offices. This sample represents a universe of approximately 127,900 students, offering a clear overview of the current state of education.
Science leads academic growth
The Science area has been the one with the greatest progress in this measurement. The average score rose from 336 points in 2018 to 361 in 2025, which represents an increase of 25 points. Likewise, the percentage of students who reached the basic level of proficiency increased by 11%, going from 15% to 26% in the evaluated period.
- Mathematics: Went from 334 to 339 points.
- Reading: Recorded an increase from 342 to 346 points.
- Science: It is positioned as the domain with the highest score, reaching 361 points.
Equity and access: key points of the system
A relevant aspect highlighted by PISA 2025 is socioeconomic equity. 12% of students from lower-income sectors manage to place in the top 25% of performance in Science, a figure that matches the average observed by the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD).
The evidence provided by PISA reinforces a central premise of educational policy: every day of teaching counts. Protecting the school calendar is a condition directly linked to students’ learning opportunities.
Ministry of Education (MINERD)
The importance of effective teaching time
The data underscores that regular attendance is a determining factor for academic success. Those students who attended classes consistently during the two weeks prior to the test obtained better results, with a 20-point gap compared to those who reported prolonged absences. Given this scenario, the MINERD has prioritized the protection of the school calendar, implementing protocols to avoid interruptions and guaranteeing pedagogical continuity through the Five Pillars Roundtable.
Currently, the Dominican government continues to promote a comprehensive transformation that encompasses legal and curricular reforms. The goal is to use the data obtained in these international measurements as a roadmap to raise educational quality, ensuring that progress in access and school completion translates into greater opportunities for Dominican youth.
