The Ukrainian Centre for Educational Quality Assessment has published the national PISA-2022 report, which shows that 59% of Ukrainian students have achieved a basic or higher level of creative thinking. This is an impressive result, given the challenges posed by the war.
According to the study, one in four 15-year-olds demonstrated the ability to generate ideas and solve problems, and 13% reached the highest levels, demonstrating the ability to abstract design and solve complex problems.
Ukraine was ranked in the middle of the 64 participating countries, scoring 27 points out of 60. Although this result is below the OECD average, it is not statistically different from the results of Greece and Colombia.
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The main findings of the PISA-2022 study on the creative thinking of Ukrainian teenagers:
- Ukraine’s results:
- 59% of students achieved at least a basic level in creative thinking.
- 25% showed the ability to generate ideas and solve problems.
- 13% demonstrated a high level of creativity, including abstract thinking and solving complex problems.
- Ukraine was ranked in the middle of the 64 participating countries, with a score below the OECD average.
- Gender differences:
- Girls showed better results than boys.
- Boys were less likely to demonstrate high achievements.
- Socio-economic status:
- Students with high socio-economic status performed better than students with low socio-economic status.
- Students from cities are ahead of their rural peers.
- Connections with other industries:
- Success in creative thinking is positively correlated with performance in maths, reading and science, but is not a decisive factor.
- The influence of the educational environment:
- School leaders are generally positive about students’ creativity.
- Students report that teachers use methods that promote creative thinking.
- Participation in creative activities has a positive impact on the development of creativity.
Recommendations for improving the development of creative thinking:
- At the state level:
- Revision of educational programmes with a focus on creative skills.
- Training teachers to develop students’ creative thinking.
- Create a system for monitoring the effectiveness of creativity development measures.
- Providing schools with teaching materials.
- Support for students with low socio-economic status.
- At the level of communities and educational authorities:
- Launching localised events to develop creativity.
- Organising professional development courses for teachers.
- At the level of the public sector:
- Promoting ideas for the development of creative thinking.
- Conducting trainings and seminars.
- At the school level:
- Developing a culture of creativity.
- Organising creative clubs and events.
- Raising awareness of teachers about methods of developing creativity.
- Integrating creativity into all subjects.
- Create a space for students to express their ideas.
- Encouraging creativity among boys.
- At the level of parents:
- Creating a favourable environment at home.
- Stimulating curiosity and self-expression.
- Active participation in the lives of children.
The PISA 2022 report emphasises the importance of integrating creativity into all educational programmes, supporting teachers in developing and assessing creative thinking, creating opportunities for students’ creative activities and monitoring their results.
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