According to a study conducted last month for the latest edition of the OECD’s Programme for International Student Assessment (PISA) Volume 3, teenagers in New Zealand are among the world’s most innovative thinkers. New Zealand has one of the best educational systems for creative thinking, placing it fifth out of 81 nations worldwide with an average score per student of 36 points, higher than the average of 33 points for the OECD.
The PISA 2022 creative thinking data provides insights into how well education systems prepare students to think outside the box in different contexts. This was the first time that the PISA test measured students’ ability to demonstrate creativity, specifically their ability to come up with original and diverse ideas.
In addition, 60–70% of students in the OECD’s participating nations reported that their teachers value their creativity, encourage them to come up with innovative ideas, and offer them the opportunity to express their opinions in class.
The key reasons why New Zealand has emerged as the best place for living and studying are as follows:
First Friend in Class: Studying in New Zealand will make one feel comfortable, supported, and welcome, all of which will enable students to thrive.
First Astronomy Experience: A New Zealand education provides learning possibilities and personal development. It sets students on the right track for a bright future in a changing world.
First Coding Breakthrough: Pursuing one’s interests and collaborating with others to accomplish those goals are possible in New Zealand. This allows students to learn independently, collaborate with others, and improve those skills.
First-class Discussion: Students participate in class discussions, help in groups, and finish individual assignments to receive an education in New Zealand. This ensures hands-on learning in real-time.
Acting Chief Executive of Education New Zealand Manapou ki te Ao Dr Linda Sissons is thrilled to see New Zealand students making a name for themselves internationally for their creative thinking. A practical, hands-on approach to education is used in New Zealand classrooms, which promotes student expression of ideas and critical and cooperative thinking.
Dr Sissons stated:
Creative thinking is a valuable quality that also enriches the outputs of a wide range of tertiary and career fields, from arts, engineering, technology and biomedicine to infrastructure and mathematics. We are pleased to see this approach endorsed in the latest PISA tests.
About Education New Zealand (ENZ)
Education New Zealand Manapou ki te Ao (ENZ) is the government agency responsible for bringing New Zealand’s education experiences to the world. It promotes a New Zealand education that teaches students to be critical thinkers, problem solvers, and lifelong learners, which will help them succeed in their future careers and positively impact the world. In 2019, the Economist Intelligence Unit ranked New Zealand’s education system first among English-speaking countries and third in the world for delivering a future-focused education (out of 50 economies).
With approximately 100 staff in 18 locations around the world, the organization works closely with New Zealand’s diverse education sector, including schools, English language providers, Private Training Establishments, Institutes of Technology and Polytechnics, universities, and internationally NZ Inc. agencies, Government agencies and education providers to encourage sustainable growth and identify opportunities.
