The ranking is based on the PISA 2025 report which assessed 15-year-old students across 91 countries and economies.
28 Jul 2026 | 16:25 According to the latest Programme for International Student Assessment (PISA) findings, the country is Australia. Australia ranked 69th out of 80 education systems for classroom behaviour. 41% of Australian students said there was noise and disorder during most or all of their science lessons, according to Newswire’s report on the findings. The average across OECD countries was 31%. About 34% of Australian students said students often did not listen to what the teacher was saying, while 21% said students found it difficult to work well during lessons. Australia ranks among the countries with the poorest classroom behaviour in PISA 2025.
The report does not officially call Australian students the “naughtiest” in the world. A classroom may look quiet from outside, but keeping a group of teenagers focused is not always easy. Students talking while the teacher is speaking, making noise, using phones or laptops and disturbing others can make it difficult for everyone to learn. A new international report has now put the spotlight on one country where such problems appear to be particularly common. The findings have also come at a time when the country’s students are seeing a decline in their academic performance. Instead, it looks at how much classroom noise, disruption and distraction students experience during lessons. The findings suggest that keeping students focused is a bigger challenge in Australian classrooms than in many other countries. The bigger takeaway from the Australian findings is that academic performance is only one part of a school’s picture. Noise in classrooms, bullying, missed classes and constant digital distractions can also shape how well students are able to learn. Looking for trusted parenting advice? Follow TOI Parenting Circle on Instagram for expert guidance, relatable stories, and practical tips delivered every day. Get the latest Lifestyle News and more. Download the TOI app.
Digital devices are adding to the problem
As per the PISA findings, 39% of Australian students said their classmates were often distracted by digital devices during science lessons. The OECD average was 28%. Around 77% of Australian students said technology such as laptops and iPads was a source of distraction. 23% of Australian students said they had experienced at least one form of bullying a few times a month or more in 2025. India did not take part in the 2025 PISA assessment, which covered 91 countries and economies. India’s last participation in PISA dates back to the 2009 cycle, and it was not a nationwide assessment. These two states were included among the partner economies in the PISA 2009 assessment, with the assessment in these two states being conducted in 2010, according to the OECD. The test measured the skills of 15-year-old students in areas including reading, mathematics and science.
India has not taken part in subsequent PISA cycles, which means there is no current PISA ranking for the country. Phones, laptops and tablets have also become a major source of distraction. For teachers, this can create a difficult situation. Digital devices can help students learn and find information quickly, but they can also take their attention away from the lesson. Bullying is another concern The report also looked at bullying among students. This is where the comparison becomes interesting. India does not have a rank in the latest PISA report. Students from Tamil Nadu and Himachal Pradesh took part as India’s representatives.