ABOUT THIS PUBLICATION

There is a growing consensus globally on the importance of fostering creativity and creative thinking through education. This publication explores how education systems are integrating creative thinking in formal education, the type of initiatives they are putting in place and the main challenges they encounter. It builds on qualitative information collected through an online questionnaire, which was directed to PISA 2022-participating jurisdictions and obtained completed responses from 90 jurisdictions, including national and subnational jurisdictions from OECD and partner countries and economies, between October and December 2022.

The PISA 2022 System-Level Questionnaire on Creative Thinking asked jurisdictions about their inclusion and prioritisation of creative thinking in different areas of education policy, including curricula, assessment, teacher training and learning environments. Education systems were asked about the role of creative thinking in formal education goals, its presence in education programmes and partnerships, and within teacher and school support mechanisms at the system level. This report is part of a wider effort by the OECD to encourage an international discussion on the importance of creative thinking in education, and to encourage positive changes in education policies and pedagogies around the world.

This report is the product of a collaborative effort between the countries participating in PISA and the OECD Secretariat, under the guidance of Andreas Schleicher, Director for Education and Skills, and Yuri Belfali, Head of the Early Childhood and Schools Division. The report was prepared by Marc Fuster, with the support of Marta Cignetti, Natalie Foster and Mario Piacentini, and with the external support of Sarah Grillo (consultant) and Bill Lucas (University of Winchester). Della Shin designed it and laid it out, and Stephen Flynn, Sophie Limoges and Cassandra Morley provided communications support. The authors would like to thank Fonzy Nils for the creative illustrations, and the LEGO Foundation for their generous support to the project.