South African pupils flunk badly at maths and science

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South Africa’s grade 5 and grade 9 learners have ranked poorly in the 2023 Trends in International Mathematics and Science Study (TIMSS).

Improvement on previous studies

Mzansi’s grade 5 learners – who were largely assessed against grade 4 learners from other countries – placed LAST among the 58 nations assessed for both mathematics and science.

Meanwhile, the grade 9 learners – who were largely assessed against grade 8 learners from other countries – fared marginally better, ranking fifth-last out of 42 countries in mathematics and second-last in science.

South Africa’s grade 9 learners finished above Jordan, Palestine, Brazil and Morocco in mathematics, and second-last for science, placing above Morocco.

Incredibly, the performance of grade 9 learners was an improvement on the previous study.

Singapore dominated the final results across both age groups and subjects.

Grade 5 is the ‘old’ Standard 3 while grade 9 in the ‘old’ Standard 7 for those who still like to ‘convert’.

Diagnostic document

South Africa’s Department of Basic Education (DBE) has used the TIMSS 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.

TIMSS specifically focuses on mathematics and science, while the SEACMEQ includes literacy.