Welsh Conservatives today expressed anger at the publication of the latest results of the OECD's Programme for International Student Assessment, which shows Wales has fallen down the league table of OECD nations.

Shadow Minister for Education and the Welsh Language, Paul Davies AM, said, "These figures are extremely disappointing and show how far behind Wales has fallen in basic skills under Labour-Plaid.

"The news draws a shameful assessment of falling educational standards in Wales and represent thousands of missed learning opportunities for young people.

"Despite the dedication and professionalism of our teachers, it is disappointing that Wales remains the worst performing nation of the UK.

"A sound grasp of basic numeracy and literacy is critical to furthering a young person's ambitions and gaining the knowledge necessary to make a significant contribution to the Welsh economy.

"Wales' dramatic educational decline suggests that Labour-Plaid's overly-centralised and bureaucratic management of schools is letting down a generation of pupils, parents and teachers.

"Wales now needs a fresh approach to schooling by empowering teachers, parents and school governors to make more decisions over their local schools because they know what is best for their local school rather than Assembly Ministers.

"These damning figures need to act as a wake-up call to Labour-Plaid Ministers."