The Agency for pre-primary, primary and secondary education presented today 12 November 2024 the results of Bosnia and Herzegovina’s participation in a great international study ICILS 2023 (International Computer and Information Literacy Study).
The student from the schools covered by the research earned 440 points which are below the ICILS average.
ICILS is an international study that assesses the computer and information literacy of eighth-grade students in primary education, with the aim of providing insights into how students in different countries’ education systems are prepared for the challenges of the digital world and the labor market.
ICILS 2023 is a third cycle of IAE’s study, and in Bosnia and Herzegovina, the Agency has carried it out for the first time in the period May – June 2023 on the sample of about 1900 students of the eighth grade in 106 primary schools.
The ICILS results in Bosnia and Herzegovina demonstrate:
- That the students in Bosnia and Herzegovina possess the only basic CIL* skills, with low achievements, below the ICILS2023 average; (*CIL – Computer and information Literacy)
- That, despite great usage of IT devices, they did not develop necessary skills for efficient use of digital information, either as users or their consumers;
- That they do not possess enough skills necessary for independent use of digital information and estimating about its credibility, relevance and usefulness;
- That the online classes during COVID-19 pandemic, when usage of IT devices was evidently increased, did not significantly contributed to students’ information skills;
- That the female students showed more achievements than the male ones;
- That there is a significant gap between between the students, very prominent because of social-economic differences, especially between the students with the highest and the lowest achievements;
- That the students form the groups of higher social-economic status in Bosnia and Herzegovina achieve significantly better results in CIL when compared to the students from lower social-economic status groups. Reliable internet, more computers at home, constant computer availability… is a key for students’ achieving better results in CIL.
The results of ICILS 2023 should provide educational systems in our country with a better understanding of the context and outcomes of education in the area of computer and information literacy.
We emphasize that in today’s digital world, the effective use of digital technologies is crucial for active participation in education, work, and society.
ICILS specifically examines the knowledge and skills students need to successfully function in a constantly changing digital environment. Unfortunately, the interest in the results has mostly come from the schools participating in the study, rather than from the institutions responsible for implementing educational policies at all levels of government, or those with a coordinating role.
The results of the ICILS 2023 study will provide a new opportunity for the relevant educational authorities in Bosnia and Herzegovina to take immediate steps to improve the quality of education.
Note: The research was conducted without the participation of the Republika Srpska, but also without the West Herzegovina Canton. After successfully conducting the trial research, the West Herzegovina Canton stepped out during the main research phase.
