LETTER FROM JOHANNESBURG
The news sparked widespread dismay in South Africa. As it does every four years, in 2023, the country took part in the international TIMSS (Trends in International Mathematics and Science Study) tests, a comparative study designed to assess the mathematical and scientific knowledge of fourth-grade and eighth-grade students around the world. Published on December 4, 2024, the results revealed that South African pupils tested at the fourth-grade level came at the bottom of the ranking, in 59th place, in both mathematics and science.
In both subjects, young South Africans were, on average, well below the “low” knowledge threshold of 400 points (362 in math, 308 in science). In mathematics, 40% of learners had not mastered the basic knowledge expected for their age. What makes this result all the more alarming is that South Africa decided to test pupils at a level equivalent to the fifth grade, i.e., a year older than most countries taking part in the study, in order to adapt to the local context.
“These results are holding up a mirror for us as a country to take a long hard look at ourselves and come face-to-face with the cold hard truth that our educational outcomes are deeply uneven,” commented Education Minister Siviwe Gwarube. Indeed, not only is the average level very low, but the study also revealed major disparities between a minority of privileged schools and the immense majority of underprivileged schools.
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