The B!G Idea has been recognised in a major OECD report on creative thinking in education, highlighting its role in promoting creativity in formal learning and supporting Ireland’s education strategy.
This recognition marks an important milestone for creative education in Ireland and confirms the growing global importance of creative thinking skills.
The Paris-based Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), together with PISA (Programme for International Student Assessment), published the 2023 report:
“Supporting Students to Think Creatively – What Education Policy Can Do.”
Importantly, the report examines how education systems across 90 countries are integrating creative thinking into formal education. It also explores the challenges schools face and the initiatives that support creativity in classrooms.
Furthermore, the report forms part of a wider OECD effort to encourage international dialogue on the role of creative thinking in education policy and teaching practice.
Within the report, Ireland leads in supporting creative thinking through innovative programmes such as Transition Year. As part of this approach, The B!G Idea is highlighted as a key initiative that puts creativity at the centre of secondary education.
The OECD report states:
“As part of their transition year, students can participate in different initiatives, such as ‘The B!G Idea’, which is aimed at putting creative thinking at the centre of Ireland’s secondary education system through experiential learning and mentorship.”
In addition, the report notes that Creative Ireland and industry partners support the programme. It also highlights the 15-week practical structure that empowers students to use creativity to tackle real-world challenges.
Across the world, education systems are rethinking how students learn. Creative thinking now sits alongside literacy and numeracy as a critical future skill.
Because of this shift, organisations like the OECD and PISA continue to develop global benchmarks for creative learning. Their work supports governments, educators and policy makers in building more innovative and inclusive education systems.
Meanwhile, PISA evaluates education systems worldwide by measuring student performance in reading, science and mathematics. Increasingly, creative thinking forms part of this global assessment landscape.
The full results of the PISA 2022 Creative Thinking survey will be released in 2024. These findings will provide deeper insights into how students develop creative problem-solving skills across different countries.
For The B!G Idea, inclusion in the OECD report reinforces the importance of collaboration between education and industry. It also highlights the programme’s growing international relevance.
As demand for creative thinking skills continues to grow, partnerships with forward-thinking organisations become even more important.
If your company would like to partner with a globally recognised creative education programme and help empower the next generation of innovators, we would love to hear from you.
Contact: hello@thebigidea.ie
