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CMS Represents India’s Voice at the OECD’s ‘PISA for Schools’ Conference in Paris

Leading Global Dialogue on Education Transformation and Competency-Based Learning

At City Montessori School (CMS), we are committed to delivering an education that transcends academic excellence to foster peace, global citizenship, and real-world problem-solving abilities. We are proud to share a significant milestone that underscores this commitment.

CMS had the distinct honour of representing Indian schools at the prestigious ‘PISA for Schools’ (PISA-S) conference, held at the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) headquarters in Paris. The PISA-S test provider in India is Stones2milestones. Its sister company ExcelOne, was invited to bring a 5-member delegation to the PISA for Schools Conference at the OECD in Paris over 11-12 September, and one of the members had to be a school leader. They invited CMS Manager, Prof. Geeta Gandhi Kingdon, as the sole school leader representative in the Indian delegation—yet another validation of CMS’s leadership in pioneering progressive education in India.

A Landmark Participation: Key Highlights

This conference marked a pivotal moment for Indian education, and CMS was at its forefront. The key details of this endeavour include:

• Maiden Indian Initiative: The PISA for Schools (PISA-S) test was administered in India for the very first time in the 2024-25 academic year.
• CMS’s Leading Role: The PISA for Schools test was taken by 93 Indian schools, including 13 CMS campuses, in the 2024-25 academic year.
• Focus on Application, Not Just Memorisation: Unlike conventional assessments, PISA-S evaluates a 15-year-old student’s competency in applying knowledge of Language, Mathematics, and Science to real-world situations.
• Exceptional Cognitive Scores: CMS students’ cognitive test scores in Maths and Science were found to be significantly above the OECD (Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development) average and also surpassed the scores of many participating countries in the West—an important milestone that places CMS on par with leading institutions worldwide.

The CMS Philosophy in Action

Our participation in PISA-S is a direct extension of the core CMS philosophy that education must transcend traditional academics to build holistic, capable global citizens. Our focused actions include:

• Curriculum Transformation: For over three years, CMS has systematically steered its curriculum and teaching methodologies towards competency-based learning, emphasising critical thinking, creativity, and problem-solving.
• CSSL Assessments: The introduction of the Centre for Schooling and Learning (CSSL) assessments was a foundational step in integrating application-based evaluation within our system.
• Commitment to Global Quality: This engagement with OECD and PISA-S reflects our unwavering commitment to benchmarking ourselves against the highest international standards, ensuring our students are not just exam-ready but future-ready.

It is a direct extension of our ongoing strategic partnership with global education initiatives. The findings from the test will further inform our curriculum and pedagogical approaches, ensuring our students remain globally competitive and ready for the challenges of tomorrow.

Reflections by Prof. Geeta Gandhi Kingdon, Manager, CMS

“Being invited to represent Indian schools at the OECD in Paris was not just an honour; it was a powerful affirmation of CMS’s world-embracing, transformative educational philosophy. It was an opportunity to contribute to the global dialogue on translating a vision of holistic, competency-based education into tangible outcomes. Our students’ performance, particularly in surpassing the OECD average in cognitive skills, is a testament to the fact that when we focus on nurturing holistic competence rather than just academic content, we empower them to become truly global citizens and changemakers of a better world.”

The conference also hosted delegations from numerous countries, including Brazil, Spain, Thailand, Portugal, Andorra, the European Union (EU), and Kazakhstan, facilitating a rich exchange of international best practices.

 CMS Manager Prof. Geeta Gandhi Kingdon, representing India at the OECD’s ‘PISA for Schools’ Conference in Paris, with delegates from the EU, Brazil, Spain, Portugal, and many more in the frame

Conclusion: Empowering the Entire Education Ecosystem

At CMS, we believe education must nurture problem-solvers, global citizens, and peacemakers—young people who will shape a more just and sustainable world. Our participation in the OECD’s PISA for Schools Conference is more than an institutional achievement and extends beyond a conference room in Paris—it is a milestone for the wider education ecosystem. It also serves as a powerful catalyst and a source of empowerment for our entire community:

• For Students: It affirms that their learning at CMS equips them with the skills to compete and collaborate on a global scale, building confidence and a broader worldview.
• For Parents: It provides tangible, international evidence that they have chosen an institution that is ensuring their children are prepared for the universities and careers of tomorrow.
• For Teachers & Educators at CMS: It validates their dedicated efforts in the classroom and serves as a motivation to continue innovating and inspiring young minds with progressive pedagogy.

At CMS, we believe that education is the most powerful tool for building a united and prosperous world. But this requires problem-solvers of tomorrow. Our participation in the OECD’s “PISA for Schools conference” is a milestone in that ongoing mission to create problem-solvers who are committed to bettering the world. We remain committed to leading the way in developing not just scholars but the architects of a better tomorrow with the true Jai Jagat spirit.