According to data cited in an analysis by El Alami Kamal, Moroccan student performance in the 2025 PISA assessment declined to 358 points in sciences, 355 in mathematics, and 321 in reading comprehension. These scores represent drops of 7, 10, and 18 points respectively compared to the 2022 results, prompting intense debate among analysts over the underlying causes of the trend.
Demographic Shifts and Expanded Testing Pools
The decline in average scores coincides with a significant expansion in the demographic scope of the evaluation. Data cited in an analysis by El Alami Kamal shows that the Moroccan population of 15-year-olds eligible for PISA increased by more than 30% since 2018, even though the overall size of that age cohort remained stable. More teenagers are staying in school long enough to enter the assessment’s perimeter.
This structural change alters sample compositions by bringing in students from socioeconomic categories previously underrepresented in PISA. According to elements from the OECD, this shift in participation accounts for part of the recorded drops in science and reading. Furthermore, digital testing constraints posed additional hurdles. An OECD indicator measuring the capacity of schools to mobilize digital equipment registered at -0.65 for Morocco, compared to an OECD average of -0.03, though the data does not establish a direct causal link to final scores.
International Comparisons and Regional Context
Broader demographic expansion does not fully account for score drops, as other systems expanded coverage while improving. Türkiye gained 18 points in sciences, 16 in mathematics, and 8 in reading over the same timeframe. Cambodia also recorded gains despite widening its evaluated school perimeter.
Regarding basic competencies, data shows that 13% of Moroccan students reach at least Level 2 in reading, 16% in mathematics, and 23% in sciences. By comparison, OECD averages for these minimum thresholds range between 65% and 74%. Socioeconomic data reveals that a 55-point gap separates the top quarter of Moroccan students from the bottom quarter in science, compared to an OECD average gap of 85 points. Among disadvantaged students, a portion managed to reach the top performance quartile, surpassing the OECD average.
Impact of Ongoing School Reforms
The timing of national policy rollouts means current PISA figures predate several major initiatives. Students evaluated in 2025 completed primary and most of lower secondary school before the implementation of the Établissements pionniers network. Similarly, the Teaching at the Right Level (TaRL) approach only began rolling out in primary schools during the 2023–2024 academic year, with middle school pilots starting in 2024–2025.
Future international evaluations will test subsequent cohorts. The PIRLS 2026 assessment will measure reading performance, followed by TIMSS 2027 for mathematics and sciences, though their schedules will only partially capture the effects of current reforms.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why did Moroccan PISA scores drop in 2025?
Scores declined by 7 points in science, 10 in math, and 18 in reading compared to 2022. Analysts attribute part of this shift to a more than 30% increase in the eligible 15-year-old student population since 2018, bringing previously untested demographics into the sample.
Do the 2025 PISA results reflect the impact of the Établissements pionniers?
No. Students evaluated in 2025 completed their primary and core middle school years before these institutional reforms were implemented.
How does Morocco compare to the OECD average in minimum competencies?
While 23% of Moroccan students reach baseline proficiency in science, 16% in math, and 13% in reading, OECD averages for these minimum thresholds span from 65% to 74%.
Which other African nations participated in PISA 2025?
Alongside Morocco, the 2025 assessment included Mauritius, Kenya, Rwanda, and Zambian educational systems.
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