Massive maths and science embarassment for South Africa
South Africa’s grade 5 and grade 9 learners have again ranked extremely poorly in the 2023 Trends in International Mathematics and Science Study (TIMSS).
South Africa’s grade 5 learners—who were largely assessed against grade 4 learners from other countries—placed stone last among the 58 nations assessed for both mathematics and science.
The grade 9 learners—who were largely assessed against grade 8 learners from other countries—placed slightly better, ranking fifth-last, above Morocco, Brazil, Palestine and Jordan in mathematics, and second-last for science, placing above Morocco.
The performance of grade 9 learners improved slightly from the previous study.
Norway assessed students in the fifth and ninth year of schooling so students would be compared to students of similar age in Denmark, Finland, and Sweden.
South Africa assessed students in their fifth and ninth years of schooling to better match curricula and maintain trend measurement. Türkiye also chose to assess students in the fifth grade.
South Africa’s Department of Basic Education has used the TIMMS as well as other studies—such as the SEACMEQ—to compile a diagnostic document that will inform future interventions in education.
Dr Mark Chetty, Director for National Assessments at the Department of Basic Education, said the tests are based on the cognitive demands in certain content areas.
TIMMS specifically focuses on mathematics and science, while the SEACMEQ includes literacy.
He described the latest results as a “mixed bag”, presenting challenges for the lower grade study and some positives for the higher grade result.
“These studies give us a sense of where we are as a system. The results show us that we are making good progress in terms of grade 9, but we have a slight decline and challenges that we need to address in foundational literacy and numeracy,” he said.
He added that the studies provide an international benchmark, a regional benchmark and a local benchmark for education which will give the seventh administration the opportunity to establish a baseline for decisions to be made.
“While the results require targeted intervention, we now know more precisely and more accurately where to intervene,” he said.
“So we’re working from a position of strength for targeted intervention and support.”
The full rankings can be found below.
Grade 4 Mathematics (SA grade 5)
Grade 4 Science (SA grade 5)
Grade 8 Mathematics (SA grade 9)
Grade 8 Science (SA grade 9)
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