Evaluation of achievement change in Egypt using PIRLS data

Authors

• Harry Anthony Patrinos, University of Arkansas, FayettevilleFollow
• maciej Jakubowski, Univ Warsaw
• Tomasz Gajderowicz, Univ Warsaw

Document Type

Article

Publication Date

9-2025

Keywords

Education, Test scores, Egypt, PIRLS

Abstract

This study analyzes Egypt's exceptional reading achievement gains during the COVID-19 school closures, a period when most countries experienced declines. Drawing on data from the 2016 and 2021 Progress in International Reading Literacy Study (PIRLS), we find a 48-point improvement-equivalent to two years of learning-with notable gains among boys. Using Ordinary Least Squares (OLS) and projected trend models, we confirm the significance of this rise. Oaxaca-Blinder decomposition attributes only one-third of the improvement to observed factors. The study finds that Egypt's progress likely reflects systemic reforms, but more research is needed to confirm that.

Comments

Web of Science

Elsevier

Citation

Harry Anthony Patrinos, Maciej Jakubowski, Tomasz Gajderowicz, Evaluation of achievement change in Egypt using PIRLS data, International Journal of Educational Development, Volume 117, 2025, 103371, ISSN 0738-0593, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijedudev.2025.103371.

Creative Commons License

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.