The Colombian Institute for the Evaluation of Education (Icfes) presented the results of the Saber 11 tests of 2024, which left a mixed picture. On the one hand, The national average reached 259 points out of a possible 500, showing an improvement compared to the 257 points in 2023.
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On the other hand, educational gaps between the public and private sectors, as well as between urban and rural areas, continue to show structural inequalities in the country. Since the implementation of the current evaluation model in 2014, The global score of 2024 is positioned as the third highest, after the results of 2016 (264 points) and 2015 (260).
Among the schools in Calendar A, The Campo David High School, in Bogotá, was once again positioned as the best in the country with an average of 398 points. This institution, recognized for its rigorous academic approach, has led the ranking on several occasions. They are followed by Colegio Cristiano Monte de Hebron (393 points) and the Boston International Educational Center, in Barranquilla (386 points).
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In Calendar B, the Diana Oese Bilingual School, from Cali, led with a score of 388, maintaining its prominent position at the national level. Also notable are the Gimnasio Calibio, in Popayán, and Gimnasio Contemporáneo, in Armenia, both with 374 points.
Regarding public institutions, The Alexander von Humboldt Institute, in Barranquilla, obtained 371 points, consolidating itself as the best public institution in the country and occupying 14th place among Calendar A schools.
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According to an analysis by EL TIEMPO The results reveal inequities that limit the scope of these improvements. While private schools averaged 287 points, public institutions lagged behind with 252 points, a difference of 35 points.
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Although the gap decreased slightly compared to the 37 points registered in 2023, It continues to be a reflection of the differences in resources and quality of teaching between both sectors.
The distance between urban and rural areas is also significant. Urban schools reached an average of 265 points, compared to 235 in rural institutions, widening the gap recorded in previous years.
Ricardo Rodríguez, educational analyst, told EL TIEMPO that The overall performance of the Saber 11 tests reflects a slight upward trend, but there is still a long way to go.
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“The national average remains far from ideal, but it is encouraging to see a steady recovery after the impact of the pandemic. Even so, the country must prioritize reducing educational gaps and strengthening key competencies.“, said.
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For her part, Elizabeth Blandón, director of Icfes, highlighted that the increase in scores is mainly due to improvements in Mathematics and Natural Sciences. “It is a modest but significant advance. Institutions have responded well to pedagogical strengthening strategies”, he stated.
Nevertheless, Experts agree that improvements in scores are not enough to ensure a quality educational system. Public policies must focus on overcoming structural barriers that affect students in rural areas and public schools, where the lack of resources and limited access to technologies critically impact academic performance.
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The impact of the results on educational policy
The increase in scores comes at a key moment for the Colombian educational system, which is undergoing a review of its policies following the reforms promoted by the current government.
The Saber 11 tests are not only an indicator of academic performance, but also a tool to evaluate the effectiveness of these policies and guide investments in infrastructure and teacher training.
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The Colombian educational panorama shows progress, but it also highlights the structural challenges that must be addressed to guarantee that academic achievements are not exclusive to a few institutions, but a reflection of the progress of the entire national educational system.
