VUB steps up its efforts in response to the PISA decline: doubles the capacity of its maths competition and sends ‘brain teasers’ to schools

With additional funding, a new digital platform and a high-profile initiative in 56 Flemish schools, the VUB aims to make maths appealing to young people once again

09/09/2026

BRUSSELS, 9 September 2026 – Whilst the latest PISA results once again show a decline in Flemish performance in maths, the Vrije Universiteit Brussel (VUB) is stepping up its efforts with ‘Wiskunnend Wiske’. With a multi-year action plan, a new digital platform and a high-profile campaign in 56 Flemish schools, the VUB aims to make maths appealing to young people once again. Over the next three years, the university will allocate additional resources to further develop the maths competition and double the number of participants in the preliminary rounds from over 2,000 to 4,000 pupils.

‘Wiskunnend Wiske’ is the VUB’s maths competition in which pupils in the fifth and sixth years of secondary school work in class groups to solve challenging problems. These are not traditional exercises involving formulas and prescribed steps, but open-ended problems that call upon creativity, logical reasoning, curiosity, perseverance and collaboration. The competition is based on the life’s work of Prof. Ingrid Daubechies, a world-renowned mathematician and VUB alumna. The name is a nod to Wiske from Suske and Wiske.

From 2,000 to 4,000 pupils

The VUB aims to scale up ‘Wiskunnend Wiske’ significantly over the next three years. With additional funding, a new digital platform and further expansion of the competition, the university hopes to reach an ever-increasing number of young people each year. By the end of the next three years, the number of participants in the preliminary rounds should have doubled from over 2,000 to 4,000 pupils.

The aim is not only to reach more pupils, but also to encourage them to view maths in a different light: as something to be discovered, something to think about together, and where there isn’t always just one obvious correct approach.

“If we want to turn the tide on the PISA results, we need to re-inspire young people to take an interest in maths. Not just by offering more maths, but also by letting them experience just how fascinating, surprising and creative maths can be. With ‘Wiskunnend Wiske’, we’re turning maths into a team sport,” says VUB Rector Jan Danckaert.

Brain teasers on the bus

To get young people and teachers excited about the new edition, the VUB has also launched an eye-catching campaign. This week, 56 Flemish schools will receive a mysterious cube in the post. The task: try to solve the cube together with your class. The cube offers a first taste of the sort of challenges pupils can expect during Wiskunnend Wiske: not a problem you solve simply by applying a formula, but a brainteaser that requires logical thinking, trying out different ideas and working together to find a solution. The initiative also serves as an invitation to schools to register for the new edition.

Mathematics as a team sport

Wiskunnend Wiske deliberately opts for a different approach to a traditional individual maths competition. Pupils solve the problems together with their classmates. One pupil discovers a pattern, another devises a strategy, and yet another finds a way to explain the solution clearly.

According to VUB professor Ann Dooms, who supports the competition alongside Ingrid Daubechies and Pattie Maes, this is in line with the aim that maths education should be more than just learning techniques:

“Learning maths is about much more than knowing the right formula. It’s about recognising patterns, making connections, asking new questions and keeping on searching until you find a solution. We need to equip young people with that way of thinking.”

PISA: falling scores, growing challenge

The latest PISA results show that Flemish performance in mathematical literacy has fallen once again. Flemish 15-year-olds still score above the OECD and EU averages, but the downward trend is clear. For the VUB, the figures underline the importance of initiatives that can get young people interested in maths in a different way.

“PISA tells us where we stand. But figures alone will not reverse the trend. We need to rekindle young people’s curiosity about maths. Those who enjoy tackling a challenging problem want to keep exploring, try out different solutions and are less likely to give up. It is that curiosity and perseverance that we want to encourage with ‘Wiskunnend Wiske’,”added Ann Dooms .

A formula by Ingrid Daubechies

Wiskunnend Wiske was conceived over 15 years ago by Prof. Ingrid Daubechies, a world-renowned mathematician and VUB alumna. She wanted young people to discover that maths is much more than just formulas and calculations: it is also a world of puzzles, patterns, creativity and unexpected discoveries.

The competition has since grown into one of the VUB’s regular initiatives aimed at inspiring young people to take an interest in maths and STEM. Today, around 150 classes and more than 2,000 pupils take part each year. With the additional investment, the university aims to double that number within three years. The competition consists of three preliminary rounds, in which pupils work on challenging maths problems in their own classrooms. The top-performing classes will progress to the final on the VUB campus on 12 March 2027.

“Mathematics is the language and foundation of all STEM disciplines. It teaches young people to think abstractly, recognise patterns, and solve problems both small and large. If we want to encourage more young people to pursue STEM, we also need to spark their curiosity and creativity and show them the beauty and power of mathematics,” concludes Jan Danckaert.

Register for Wiskunnend Wiske

You can register on the VUB website. Participation is free of charge.