The Agency for Pre-School, Primary, and Secondary Education (APOSO) has released findings from Bosnia and Herzegovina’s participation in the ICILS 2023 study, an international assessment of 8th-grade students' computer and information literacy.

The study aims to provide insights into how students from various countries are being equipped for the demands of the digital world and future job market. According to APOSO, students in Bosnia and Herzegovina scored 440 points, placing them below the ICILS international average.

ICILS 2023, the third cycle of this IEA study, was conducted in Bosnia for the first time between May and June 2023, surveying around 1,900 8th-grade students from 106 primary schools.

The results indicate that students in Bosnia and Herzegovina display only basic skills in computer and information literacy, scoring below the ICILS average in key areas. Despite the prevalence of digital devices, 8th-grade students in BiH schools have not developed the necessary skills to effectively engage with and evaluate digital information.

Findings reveal that students lack the skills needed to independently use digital information and assess its credibility, relevance, and usefulness. Notably, the shift to online learning during the COVID-19 pandemic, which increased ICT use, did not significantly improve students’ computer literacy.

The study also found that female students outperformed their male counterparts and highlighted a significant digital divide, particularly among students from different socio-economic backgrounds. Students from higher socio-economic backgrounds achieved substantially better results in digital literacy than those from lower SES groups. Reliable internet access, more computers at home, and regular computer availability are key factors linked to higher digital literacy scores.

The ICILS 2023 results are intended to help educational authorities in Bosnia and Herzegovina better understand the state of computer and information literacy among students. The findings offer a crucial opportunity for the country’s educational bodies to take immediate steps to improve the quality of digital education and bridge gaps in student achievement.