Irish teens high in world reading league

IRISH teenagers are among the best at reading in the developed world, according to an international survey.

The Programme for International Student Assessment (PISA) study compared reading, maths and scientific literacy among 15-year-olds in 43 countries, including 28 members of the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development.

But while we were fifth best in the reading stakes, our average scores on mathematical literacy placed us 17th. Irish students fared better in terms of science, placed 10th best among the countries surveyed.